Assuming you’re trying to call a place/person who offers HRT regularly, try to remember that the person who answers your call has received this same call many times before and wants to help you get what you need. And it’s okay for you to ask for what you need. You deserve to get what you need.

Alternatively, remember that the longer you delay, the longer you still have way too much testosterone flowing through you. 😉

It’s scary to take these big steps, but you’re traveling a well-worn path walked by we who came before you. 💜

Something that helps me is to change the way I perceive myself in these moments of anxiety. I separate my pre-transition self from my post-transition self and think of them as distinctly different people. Any embarrassing or uncomfortable situations are just experiences of my pre-transition self that doesn't define my post-transition self. It's like a temporary feeling of just letting go and not caring about the consequences, because it's a totally different person dealing with it for me.

You could also remind yourself that in the grand scheme of the universe, this moment is an insignificant speck of time.

There are two things that helped me to get over the hurdle. The first is something that applies for anything I’m scared of but I logically know is safe. I know that if I do it and don’t like it or it’s really awkward, I still won’t regret doing it. But if I don’t do it, I know I’ll regret it afterwards.

The second is to set up to make the phone call and seriously consider it, even if you don’t end up calling that day. It will’s be easier the next time. Especially since there’s a chance you get an answering machine or hold music and need to call again later.

Having just had my first appointment for HRT, I can tell you that I did not start right off the bat with a GAHT provider - I started with my regular old general practitioner, who - by my research and switching to her - was already very LGBTQ+ friendly.

And then something unexpected happened: it turns out my GP studied under Dr. Jerrica Kirkley, one of the founders of Plume.

If you have the ability to throw a $99 charge on your card, your health savings account, etc, I would absolutely recommend at least an initial consultation through Plume. You can always get another opinion/option later.

What sometimes helped me with these things is to visualize doing them first -- to kind of run through what's going to happen in your head. You could even kind of write out a short script of what you're going to say, and practice it in your head!

Also, don't stress it too much if you back out a few times. I think I even got as far as starting to dial the number once before getting too anxious and abandoning it once. Because it's something you want to do, you just have to keep trying and eventually you'll be ok! :)