Willow, I wish you all the best as you enter this new phase of your womanhood. I don't often comment on videos, but I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of support. I know that anti-queer and anti-trans hate can come from anywhere, but I'm a 54-year-old white cis-het lady living in a small rural town in an historically conservative state in the U.S., which means that queer and trans allies can come from anywhere, too. I hope that's a comforting thought.

@cukka99

10 ай бұрын

Seconded by a cishet man of about the same age as OP, but from a more progressive state in the US--one that had in fact declared itself a sanctuary state for people needing reproductive care as well as lgbtq people facing discrimination. Interesting times we live in.

@waltbowlby1638

9 ай бұрын

I am a 75 Year old transwoman and loving it.i go by miss Wylie dee

so grateful there are people like you who can help trans people and guide them on these important steps!!!

@ampmc9080

Жыл бұрын

also, i know it may be too soon to propose this but it would be super interesting (at least to me) to know more about the changes that you’ve experienced with HRT in literature! changes in tendencies, interests, emotional responses, etc. of course just if it feels comfortable and interesting to you!

I want to say as someone at the beginning of their medical transition this is an unbelievably valuable resource so thank you from the bottom of my heart for the strength it takes to publicly make this but also it's great to see how positive the comments actually are generally which shows what an amazing community you've fostered ❤

I appreciate so much your efforts to share your process. It's so important to so much people. You're simply amazing ❤

Sending you so much love and support ❤😊 You’re an absolutely lovely girl! I wish you nothing but the best!

thanks for this video!!! thanks for not turning off the comments, f*** the haters

Willow I’m so grateful you decided to make this video; it’s going to be invaluable to both trans people and allies. As I said before it’s brave of you to open yourself up like this, and I’m heartened that the comments so far are positive. It gives me hope and it speaks to how well you’ve presented this. You’re an inspiring young woman, Willow. You should be proud of yourself 💜

Thanks for sharing your story and the process you're going through. It's incredibly interesting and bound to help the community.

I have read many of the comments, and your community is filled with wonderful, loving allies . I am a straight, cis gender female and I so appreciate your honest, informative discussion. The thought of someone having to wait for years for your HRT is horrifying. Going private sounds like it was the best and most reasonable decision. I wish you success and happiness in your continued journey. I will be among the fans cheering you on!

So happy for you! Thanks for being so open and clear about your experience.

Great Video! You have my support. Good luck as you continue on your journey.

These videos, like you say, are important for other Trans people. Thank you for contributing publicly to information on Trans Health.

This is such a wonderful and informative video. Thank you so much for uploading this video. 🏳️‍⚧️

Congratulations on taking this next step! It’s so good and so brave of you to talk about this publicly, I hope it can help many on this journey. You’re a beautiful person, both inside and out.

i am so so so so so very happy that you did this video AND left the comments open. You are beautiful and Brave and honest!!! you are you and that makes you amazing and your personality is infectious to watch. love from Ohio, U.S.A. please dont let anyone ever tell you that anything you are doing to be your true self can go Futz Off. we got your 6 girl

Thank you so much. This was brave and fascinating whether one is trans or an ally. I hope you keep us informed about your journey and I wish you joy and success becoming your true self. ( and welcome to the world of emotions! There is nothing better than a good cry when hearing a moving song 👍❤️).

So happy for you and proud of you for posting this!! Big big 'Mom' hugs 🤗❤️

Willow, thank you soooo soooo much for sharing your experience with us! I feel so much better informed now, and it’s priceless, and I cannot thank you enough 💜💜💜

This is such an informative video. I'm glad you made it and I hope the comment section doesn't turn into a mess.

I applaud your courage to post this, and agree that this is an important and informative video that can help a lot of people looking for some guidance. 🖤

Very informative! Thank you for sharing this with us. Wishing you the best of luck on your journey! ❤

You sound so happy! Sending all the support ❤

This was wonderful and I really appreciate your honesty. I cannot thank you enough for this helpful video. 😊

Thank you so much for sharing your journey! This is such an informative video, and I wish you all the very best. ❤

This is so informative, also for people with no trans background. Especially the change of your feelings due to the female hormones is so important and interesting. I told you before that this makes a huge difference in your life. Glad you enjoy it so much and recognise it as yours from the beginning.

That much closer to your most powerful form! 🎉🎉🎉 This could be really useful for people here in Ireland as well, as the HSE follows the NHS format, for better or for worse. Thank you for making this!

This is a very informative video. I really appreciate you as a person. 💚💜

Thank you so much for educating me into this part of your life. I watch your videos because I value your knowledge in the literature we love, not because I'm interested in your gender, but I respect you for your honesty and friendliness in this aspect of your life.

Thanks for being so open and honest about everything you had to do to get the HRT. Hope it is working for you and it helps

It was really great you mentioned that there is always a chance of de transitioning. It’s a very mature and considered approach which you often don’t see. Thank you!

@WillowTalksBooks

3 ай бұрын

Got another video coming out next week that kinda follows on from this conversation :)

Thank you, Willow. You are a beautiful role model for simply loving oneself. I wish it didn't have to be so complicated, expensive and often painful, but you are doing what it takes to be you. Wow!❤

You are so brave and wonderful for sharing your story. There's always more to a person behind their content and your opinions on books. Thank you for sharing this, you're an inspiration in general.

@WillowTalksBooks

Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you so much!

The most informative video I have so far viewed. Keep going with it, you are doing so well. Everything you say is so true. I'm presently going down the same road after a year of Oestrgel (Estradiol) and T blockers. There is no going back. I have never felt better, more confident and comfortable in myself and my own body. I to, had to go down the private route but my own GP was very supportive, and under instruction from my private consultant, she was willing to prescribe me the medication that I needed. More blood test to go yet but I am feeling great and so will you. Xx

Fantastic video. I learned a lot. You deserve all good things.

Thanks for sharing such personal information. It was interesting to hear!

I really enjoy your Book videos. I was curious about you and this was really informative 😃👍

I have been waiting to hear how it’s going, so I am happy for the update! I’m sorry that it’s been such a struggle. It’s not like the waiting period for a gun to ensure that you are sure, it’s medical care. I’m happy for you, and I look forward to hearing how the roller coaster goes. Here’s to more joy 🎉❤ As someone who works at a GI clinic in Canada, I just want to make my pitch for everyone to get their health screenings, especially for any sex organs you may have. Everyone needs to do self breast exams every month after puberty. Know what is normal for you, so you know when it’s not. Be well, everyone ❤

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. This information is helpful for everyone.

I'm glad comments aren't off It makes me hopefull about humanity ❤

congratulatiooons i'm so happy for you

Sending support! Fingers crossed there is no need to turn off comments.

Thanks for sharing, good luck with your journey, hope it goes well :)

Awesome video, thank you so much. :D As a transwoman trying to get into an HRT waitlist currently, I appreciate you explaining the differences between the patches, pills and gels

So grateful you are receiving so much love in the comments. We got choo babe xx

Thank you for this video, but also for that last part at the end about the possibility of ceasing HRT without detransitioning; I don't think I've ever heard someone say that. I can see why given the current climate of the world, but it's important that trans people are aware of differing opinions and experiences. I can imagine someone being afraid they're "not trans enough" or "making it harder for everyone else" by making such a decision, but at the end of the day an individual knows what's best for them and hearing someone else share the same experience would not doubt ease some of the fear and distress they'd have. Again, thanks for the insight into your life, Willow. I admit, it's difficult keeping up with every channel I'm subscribed to on YT but I do find myself clicking on your personal videos more often. I suppose it's because I'm not the most prolific reader so I get overwhelmed with all the (great) recommendations you give out! I'll be sure to check out your videos for trans literature as my experience there is quite lacking. Cheers 💜

as a trans person, going through these comments made me cry because so many people are being so supportive and wholesome!!💜💜💜💜💜💜

I'm an American ally who knows very little about HRT and even less about the NHS. Thank you for the education. More videos like this one, please (in-between the book reviews, that is). ❤

@tekcomputers

7 ай бұрын

There's some other options as an American that we can get that is not common over there. I do my GAHT via injection for example, 4mg weekly via intermuscular injection, rather than gel, patch or pill. But from my understanding the injection isn't an option in most of Europe while it is here in the US.

Thank you so much Willow ^-^ even though I've been socially out for years now I've kinda put off getting hrt because of the horror of the waiting lists on the NHS. Thanks for explaining so clearly the private costs and process 😊 time to save up x3!!

thank you for talking about this willow!!

Here in Brazil we have the transgender hormone therapy offered with no costs to the people by our health system, and listening some cases it seems that it's offered with a pretty good quality. It's been difficult time since 2018 with our last government and the growing of religious politics in power, but we are going slowly foward with transgender rights. Anyway, see all the steps of the teraphy (psychologists, hormones, exams etc.) being offered free makes me hopefull with the future here.

Thank you for this video. I work with trans youth in America, and some have been considering moving to the UK for the sake of better pricing. This will for sure be a resource I revisit and share with them 💜

Thank you so much for such info ❤😊. It's really helpful 😊❤

So wonderful.. sending much love..

I always want to be a man. I hate my female body, especially my breast since I was 8 years old. Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. It's a very helpful video.

Thank You Willow . Such an informative and inspiring video. I love your account of crying and feeling so intensely. I have been on antidepressants for 30 years and while keeping me stable they mean I never cry or feel any really strong emotion. I've decided to come off them and am looking forward to crying again😀I have to do it very slowly though. I am so looking forward to seeing and hearing about your journey. Lots of love

@WillowTalksBooks

Жыл бұрын

I completely relate, and thank you for opening up! 💜

You're right, we don't talk enough about transgender people going off hormones. A lot of people go off hormones for many reasons, and detransition is just one of them. I have been on and off testosterone 2 times and it is not due to detranstion or doubts or even changes in gender identity. My initial round of testosterone got me where I wanted to be in many ways but it also had some effects that weren't working for me, and I later tried again. It is common for non-binary people to have a hard time finding the right balance with hormones. This is a struggle I have. I love many changes and in some ways, it feels like I need testosterone. On the other hand, I cannot handle the mental changes and other effects. It can be very difficult to be a trans person who does not find the right relief in hormones. There is no wrong way to be trans :)

Sending love and support! Thank you for sharing this.

As a cis-het woman, I fully support you in contributing valuable information for trans people who need it as well as educating people like me who are not going through this same journey. This will hopefully help promote empathy and compassion toward our trans communities. Best wishes to you. xo.

Hey I'm a recently out trans woman (I'm 18) and I'm currently on the waiting list for HRT and waiting to see an endocrinologist (the waiting lists are bad even if your going private annoyingly lol) and I just wanna say thank you so much for making this video it was so comforting for me to hear your experiences, your channel has continually been a place of comfort for me, as trans people we are forced to confront the most macabre aspects of society and at some times it is truly isolating but to see you experiencing the same things and keeping on going however difficult it is to do so has given me so much hope. Its so important that as trans people we neither deny the wave of hatred and suffering forced upon us but it is also so vital that we acknowledge the feelings of euphoria that can occur in our lives, and to me this is the most important part of this video, it does not deny the Kafkaesque bureacracy we face in dealing with institutions, nor does it deny the gritty reality we spend a lot of time lurking in but it does not reduce the trans experience to this and shows the possibility of happiness and contentment as a trans person. However macabre the world is towards us these realities cannot extinguish the euphoria that is possible for us. So thank you and I am so happy that you are finally getting the treatment you deserve and I hope the treatment will bring you joy that you previously would not have thought possible :)

5 YEARS? jesus.... that is so upsetting ;; Wishing you so much luck with your journey

I commend your courage for doing this video.

Willow, thank you so much for sharing ❤

I appreciate you so much! Thank you for sharing. And don't worry about cancer really. These studies are done with a large number of people but in the end, having a gene or not doesn't mean anything. ❤

Keeping my fingers crossed that this comment section stays open because it will hopefully mean no one is being heinous to you! So proud of you! 💖

I’ll never be able to see myself truly so I live vicariously through people who are strong enough to actually go through with being themselves

Thank you for posting. That was really interesting, and I feel like I should know this as a cis gendered female trans ally. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Very interesting. Loved your information.

Thank you for the update

I wish you all the happiness in the world 💖

Thank you for your content!

NHS have been underfunded by the Gov as an excuse to justify privatisation, which I've been told by NHS staff whilst in hospital. I'm on a 18month waiting list for a Neurologist

@WillowTalksBooks

Ай бұрын

Yup, they make the NHS seem unfit for purpose to make privatisation look appealing and it’s working. They’re so good at making the public stupid and then selling them something terrible

@shellyhorn509

Ай бұрын

@@WillowTalksBooks if you want to be rich, I suggest buying shares in whichever medical aid companies will eventually be running the show. Bet, the slimy politicians all have!

I wish you all good things.

Love and support to all my trans sisters 🩷🩵🤍 thank you for making this content for others on their journeys

@wizardswordfish5875

5 ай бұрын

What flag is that and why do all the pretty girls come from that country?

I ordered a kobo sage because of one of your old videos and now I'm on estrogen. Currently skimming through the rest of your channel to find potential spoilers for my future 👀

@mildmannered1086

4 ай бұрын

😂❤

Coming to this vid late, but im glad i found your channel! First off, hell yeah another trans girl named Willow lets gooooo. Second, I am so fuckin sorry yall over there have to go private to get basic health care. For comparison, here in Canada I told my doctor I was trans, she said cool lets do some blood work, when those get back lets get you on Spironolactone (T blockers) and Estradiol. That was FUCKING it! No diagnostics, no questionnaires, no waiting periods. And I was an outlier patient too! Shes never provided trans care before but all she did was look up the WPATH standards and boom done. Mildly shitty thing is that I still have to pay for HRT since I'm 25 and prescriptions aren't covered by OHIP (Ontario healthcare) but thats like 100$ all in for 3 months worth of blockers and E. Keep kicking ass

I really relate to what you said about potentially stopping hormones but never socially detransitioning. I'm taking some steps to start them now and I'm not sure if this is necessarily what I'm going to want for my entire life, but I know I don't regret any of the steps I've taken so far. I've found euphoria from my presentation over this past year that I had never known in my whole life. It takes a lot of anxiety out of everything simply recognizing that you can always stop what you don't like, so long as you're aware of which changes are reversible and which are not, and I feel that this fallacy that any hormone taking is an instant and permanent change to the foundations of a person gets weaponized against us by transphobes. Thanks so much for this video, you said some things I hadn't heard before despite looking into this stuff quite a lot, and I have some new stuff to research into now :)

❤❤❤ Thank you for being brave enough to post this. I meeded to see this 😭

Thank you so much for sharing.

Hi from the United States Thank you for sharing your video

Just started watching now, and I want to make sure to put some love in the comments 💕💝.

You are amazing 💕

1) Would using an epilator on your facial and other hair help reduce hair remolal sessions needed?

thanks for this willow

Hey, a question. Do the NHS prescribe progesterone? I have a GIC appointment in a month and I'm thinking of bringing it up. Also, I've been on oestrogen gel for 1.5 years already, so will Progesterone do anything now anyway? Thanks.

@WillowTalksBooks

Жыл бұрын

Take this with a pinch of salt but I THINK the process is: take oestrogen for a year, then add t-blockers, then swap oestrogen for progesterone after another year. But don’t take my word for it

@CrippledPrincess

Жыл бұрын

@@WillowTalksBooks Thank you x

u inspire me, im not trans but i wanna go on hrt to feel the high

i'm a trans man starting hrt soon, but i always enjoy hearing about the other side of the coin.

@WillowTalksBooks

3 ай бұрын

Good luck! It’ll be a blast

i’m starting hrt soon i’m going the DIY route of buying tablets for anti androgen and then i’m going to use the estrogen gel, the waiting times is five years plus for the GIC clinic and i can’t wait that long so i’m ordering the stuff online without prescription. The thing is unless you got lots of money you have to wait to see someone 😢 only for them to say no and then can’t go on hrt😢

All I know is that I waited about 6 years from diagnosis to starting HRT, but some of that was my personal choice. In hindsight I probably could've started sooner but now (started in 2023) is right partly as I have a form of "insurance" from the provincial government (I pay a toonie, which is $2 CAD per prescription) and a pharmacy within walking distance. The upside of waiting, meant getting my prescription itself was surprisingly easy. Upon glancing at my Gender Dysphoria diagnosis my GP just said, "It's no different than prescribing birth control" and "It's your decision, and you've had enough time to think for me to trust you." So I said yes, and she attended an online training session, read a medical journal, (she said I'd be her first trans patient) and officially gave me an HRT prescription at my next appointment. My point is, no two journeys are alike but it seems some can be more complex than others.

Thank you for making ths video and sharing your story. I live in the United (ha!) States, and have been horrified and deeply saddened and angered by the number of states passing anti-trans legislation, particularly aimed at children and their parents. Gender affirming care is health care, and it saves lives, and these states are not only imposing their morals and taking away body autonomy, but are actively hurting people. Videos like this, sharing stories, and reminding people that this is not some vague "issue", but about human beings, are helpful. The more there are avenues for people, like trans kids who are being oppressed in America, to feel validated, to see stories that make them feel less alone and give them information--- it is a blessing.

hi my name is Zeynep and I'm trans woman I'm 14 old. I'm from turkey and I wanna ask you for hormone. I'm taking everyday on 7:00 pm. But... I'm wake up to late for this day... Like 8:26 or 8:34 pm Is this okay with me?

Wow! That’s crazy in the UK! In America you just call your primary care physician and they set up an appointment and you have your pills the same day!

@WillowTalksBooks

Ай бұрын

TERF island. I’d still rather have our healthcare system overall, since every American is one sickness or injury away from bankruptcy, but we’ll be there too eventually. But our trans healthcare is getting worse by the day

@Xcorgi

Ай бұрын

@@WillowTalksBooks I’m one of the lucky few because I’m partially permanently disabled, I’m also on Medicare. And in America, our gender affirming care is covered 100% including HRT as well as top and bottom surgery and even facial laser and electrolysis removal. After 12 months of proven by your doctor you’ve been full time on hormones and living full time as a woman, then they approve your top and bottom surgeries and even rhinoplasty if you need it.

@Xcorgi

Ай бұрын

@@WillowTalksBooksSo if your trans care in your health system is always getting worse then why would you rather have it than ours? In America trans care availability and ease of qualifying is getting better by the day, I actually feel bad for you in England because in America we don’t need to go to a psychiatrist to be approved for HRT. All we need to do is tell our primary care physician we have gender dysphoria and they prescribe all your meds the same day! Also ALL of the hormones are covered 100% on our insurance prescription plans. Not one single penny out of pocket! Also after we’ve been on HRT for one year or more, we then qualify for FREE top and bottom surgery as well as laser hair removal. So tell me one more time WHY you think your healthcare for transgender people is better in England?

If and or what are previous steps to take before going under HRT i am a transwoman yet physically i dont know how to present or look more feminine and i planned on going under hrt to help me look more feminine and feel comfortable in my skin

@WillowTalksBooks

5 ай бұрын

I started HRT for the same reason. The steps I took before that were: growing my hair out and getting it cut in a feminine style, getting laser hair removal on my face, start wearing makeup every day, legally change my name, and replacing my wardrobe to an entirely feminine one

Thank you so much for sharing this! As a cis woman, I am in full solidarity with trans women. Something I thought of watching your video is that ALL women get a rotten deal with healthcare in the UK. I am currently looking into fertility treatments/egg freezing due to my PCOS, and it is ridiculous how expensive it is, and it is not covered by the NHS. Good luck with your treatment! P.S. Because of my high levels of testosterone, I actually have male-pattern hair loss and other 'male' characteristics, which you, a trans woman pre hormones, don't have. Just shows, again and again, that 'biological sex' is not a binary.

I waited 2 weeks short of 4 years before i started hormones on the NHS. I was going private with Gendergp for 2 years (was self medicating for 6 months previously). My facial hair is almost totally gone

Please help me, everything online is so overwhelming & I just need to know my exact steps & rough prices for private uk transitions. You mentioned it slightly & that was amazing but a detailed thing would be so great!

@WillowTalksBooks

Ай бұрын

Contact the Gender Hormone Clinic. In terms of pricing, I’m pretty sure this video is full of details

I am 15 and will HRT effect my height growth?

I'm fortunate to have access to Planned Parenthood for my estrogen in the US, with United Healthcare covering all the costs. I haven't had to pay anything for my estrogen or testosterone blockers. However, I'll likely have to pay for facial hair removal myself, which will cost around $800 (approximately 730 EUR).

8:55 Only Estrogen first... 🤔 I was put on EstroGel and Spironolactone pretty much at the same time. It doesn't make sense to me to not go on a Tblocker at the same time...

@WillowTalksBooks

6 ай бұрын

I mean, the only way I can think to reply to this is to send you my endocrinologist’s email address and you can ask them about it

@Genevieve111

6 ай бұрын

@WillowTalksBooks Thanks luv... but not necessary....it's just a different approach I suppose. Estrogen will lower T but if Spiro etc... is available why not take it also...

@WillowTalksBooks

6 ай бұрын

I don’t know, on account of me not being a medical professional

Thank you

You say young trans people but as a gender questioning people in their late 30s I too have found your video very helpful!

@WillowTalksBooks

4 ай бұрын

I’m glad!