Transmasculine Guide: Prescribed vs DIY

Legal Considerations:

The legal risk of possession of testosterone is very low. Although technically illegal in countries like the US, authorities rarely prosecute individuals for personal use. Legal issues might arise if testosterone is discovered during an unrelated search.

In countries like Canada and the UK, personal possession of testosterone is legal, only distribution is prohibited.

Ordering internationally poses a slight risk, as customs may confiscate the package. However, legal penalties are very rare. Typically, you’ll just receive a seizure notice. To avoid this, try to order from domestic sources, which are not subject to customs checks.

Accessing Prescribed HRT vs DIY:

There are two main ways to gain access to HRT. Through prescriptions, and through DIY avenues;

Ideally, you would be on HRT through legal means. However, you may not have the privilege, so this guide may be of use for you.

Regardless, if you are willing to attempt DIY, it is a preferable option to not being on HRT for many.

Prescribed HRT:

You have to be 18+ to access informed consent services.

Informed consent ensures you understand all the information about a medical treatment and accept the risks involved.

Informed consent in the context of transmasc HRT means that the the effects of testosterone (including risks and side effects) are explained to you by a medical professional. You can then agree or refuse starting HRT. This can be an easy and affordable way of starting testosterone legally in some countries.

Under an informed consent model, an adult is able to start HRT very quickly (within days or weeks of the first appointment) after they agree to receiving HRT treatment.

See this page for a full list for all current informed consent resources: Informed Consent and Telehealth.

To save on prescribed testosterone in the USA, try goodrx.com for free coupons to use at participating pharmacies. There are no strings attached to this service! Cost Plus Drugs is also a good source for affordable medications delivered to you by mail if you have a doctor’s prescription.

Beyond this point, this guide will focus exclusively on how to safely dose, source, and administer DIY HRT.

DIY HRT:

If you don’t want to be on waitlists, have to prove your transness while allowing your body to feminize, or are unable to get T legally, then you may have to order it online. You may need to learn how to buy Bitcoin. (If you are unable to, get a trusted friend to purchase the Bitcoin for you, or go to your local BTC ATM.) Some sites also offer payment in methods such as Zelle, Bank Transfer, Western Union and MoneyGram. (Keep in mind that these methods are often subject to minimum order requirements, unlike Bitcoin.)

If you choose to order testosterone without a prescription, it will be illegal in most countries (although the risk of a domestic order being seized, let alone any person in possession of anabolic steroids for personal use being prosecuted, is unheard of). Testosterone is legal to possess without a prescription in places like the UK and Canada (sale of testosterone without a proper license is illegal, however).

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