Thank You Informed Consent Model!

[emeraldmountain2]

I just want to publicly praise the informed consent model for obtaining HRT. I thank the universe for gifting this model upon us, allowing us the dignity of easy access to HRT and I pray that the universe grants the informed consent model upon the rest of the world!

[Carolyn Marie]

Yes, it's been a godsend to a great many people.  Fewer hoops to jump through is a good thing.  We are, in general, "Smarter than the average bear," and can make intelligent decisions.  The powers that be finally figured that out.

 

Carolyn Marie

[Erica Leigh]

On 12/13/2023 at 7:46 PM, emeraldmountain2 said:

I just want to publicly praise the informed consent model for obtaining HRT. I thank the universe for gifting this model upon us, allowing us the dignity of easy access to HRT and I pray that the universe grants the informed consent model upon the rest of the world!

Informed consent was transformational for my journey. I know there are different opinions of it, but for me, it was the right option at the right time.

[Ivy]

2 hours ago, Erica Leigh said:

Informed consent was transformational for my journey. I know there are different opinions of it, but for me, it was the right option at the right time.

Same.  At the time it was the only real option I had, other than nothing.

[Lorelei]

Informed consent was a godsend for me. I had an ischemic stoke in 2012, which is a no no for HRT. The informed consent clinic still prescribed estrogen while warning me of the potentially life threatening risks that it could present.

[Ivy]

29 minutes ago, Lorelei said:

The informed consent clinic still prescribed estrogen while warning me of the potentially life threatening risks that it could present.

I had to sign papers that they had informed me of the risks.  I figured if it did kill me, I'd at least die as who I was, not that other guy.  

(Actually the risks weren't that much more than what was already there.)

I don't think it is something that should be done on a whim, but we should still have this option if we want/need to go this way.

[Erica Leigh]

3 hours ago, Ivy said:

 

I don't think it is something that should be done on a whim, but we should still have this option if we want/need to go this way.

 

I think that's the key. "Informed" - by its very definition, means that I understand and have done the legwork to know what I'm getting into!

[emeraldmountain2]

If it were not for informed consent, many of us would never have been able to get past gatekeepers' cruel denial of our lifesaving medicine. In general, informed consent is one of the best things trans people have ever had, besides hormone therapy itself.

[Susan R]

11 hours ago, Erica Leigh said:

I think that's the key. "Informed" - by its very definition, means that I understand and have done the legwork to know what I'm getting into!

I was one of those in our community that used informed consent through Planned Parenthood. This organization made sure I knew the risks and was mentally fit to make any decisions of that magnitude before assisting me. It wasn’t a matter of them taking my word for it based on me signing a simple waiver form.

 

In my case, I was spoke to a counselor about the reasons why I wanted to transition. I gave her my backstory and a brief timeline about how I got to this point. She then asked me several pertinent questions relating to my decision. After this 30 minute session, The PA who would eventually write a prescription for Hormones came in and spoke with me for over an hour. She went over several information sheets and we discussed much of the information I had discussed earlier with the counselor. I then signed a few documents and they took my vital signs and blood samples for testing. My PA said I would be contacted when the results were in and if things looked good a prescription would be sent to my selected pharmacy.

 

I felt the Informed Consent system in place was a good one. I was fully aware of all of the changes, side effects, and expectations that may happen once I began HRT. They also informed me of the expected timeline of these effects and changes and assured me they would be there for me if I had any questions or concerns. It was a very thorough and professionally handled system to make sure I was truly ready. Of course, I knew I was ready for transition but I knew these procedures were in place for my protection and theirs. 

[Ivy]

8 hours ago, Susan R said:

I was one of those in our community that used informed consent through Planned Parenthood. This organization made sure I knew the risks and was mentally fit to make any decisions of that magnitude before assisting me.

I did this as well.  I had to talk to several people there, and give blood before they would send a scrip.  (and of course sign the paperwork)

[Ivy]

Oh, and when I switched my care to the VA I had to have a session with a counselor to get referred for HRT although I was already on some from PP.

It's not like they hand this stuff out like candy.