My understanding is that it is common to start with laser, then move to electrolysis. If laser has dealt with the majority of hairs, is the electrolysis tech able to "ignore" those follicles? If not, starting with laser seems pointless.
I have been doing laser for a while but am starting to think electrolysis will be necessary prior to surgery for some of the finer hairs.

We started a new gaming table a few months ago. One of the players is my partner's coworker, so he and I knew of each other but hadn't met until we started playing.

I GM for the group, so for months he's been showing up to listen to me yap and has certainly gotten a good look at me.

We were messaging about something the other day and I made a passing remark about "not being out" somewhere.
Him: "wait, what do you mean by out?"
Me: "I mean they don't know I'm a trans woman."
Him: "Oh, I didn't know you are a trans woman."

That's it, I can die happy.

I'm around 9 months of feminizing HRT, and maintain the opinion that it is one of the best decisions I've made. I know that a lot of long term changes won't kick in until the 2-3 year mark at least, and it can take 5 or more years before strength is comparable to a cis woman.

Yesterday I took some milestone pictures, and it was the first time I've seen my back since before starting hormones. Holy dysphoria Batman. Genuinely the most acute dysphoria I've experienced. I have had a day to cry, nap, and evaluate, and am back to trusting the process, but damn I want these lats to go away.

I powerlifted in my past life as a way to try and run away from the woman I wanted to become, but haven't done any upper body strength training in over 3 years. I'd have great genes if I wasn't trans ;-;

I'm currently in the process of obtaining the two different mental health referrals my insurance asks for before they will cover my orchiectomy. My doctor set me up with a therapist who can be my first referral, and she's great; very kind, and understanding of my situation. I am getting antsy though.

At the start of our first session, she asked what my goal in seeing her was, to which I responded politely but bluntly, "I just need a referral for my insurance to get bottom surgery." She took that graciously, I think. We have now completed two sessions of therapy and I am wondering how many are necessary for her to just give the referral already...

The plan is to ask her in our next session how long before she can give the referral. I haven't been given an expectation from her so far, which is a little concerning. I don't want to just get roped into paying for extra sessions.

I had (naively?) hoped back in October that I could start the process and get surgery scheduled for January at the latest, but since I'm still working on the first of two referrals, that seems unlikely.

[seeking input from people who use female restrooms]

Hello! I have been using women's restrooms for some time now. Tonight however, will be the first time that I will be going out with some girlfriends where public toilets will be involved. Everyone I am going with knows that I am trans, and is supportive. My questions/concerns are:

• If I get up to use the bathroom, should I ask anyone if they would like to come with?
• If another woman gets up, should I offer to go with?
• If we are using the restroom at the same time, and I finish first, should I wait for them? If so, inside, or outside?

I'm mostly just wanting to act "normal," and don't want to unknowingly perform any social faux pas. Thanks!

Title

I've been on HRT for 6 months, with 5mg weekly injections for the last 3 of those months.
3 months ago, my E was 22 pg/ml, now it is 333 pg/ml.
Doctor says that is too high and is going to to reduce me to a "maintenance dose". Just wanted to check with other people if this is consistent with their experiences. Thanks!

[Asking MtF people who have had genital surgery, ideally in Chicago]

Hello! I started talking to my doctor yesterday about finding a surgeon for a bilateral orchiectomy. We both agreed Chicago would probably be a practical place to find someone experienced in the procedure.

I found two doctors: Dr. Loren Schechter, MD, and Dr. Traci P. Beck, MD. Both have come up in my searching, but I wanted to check if anyone in the community has advice / recommendations for who to go to.