In order to obtain hormones, you need a script from a doctor. This can be a GP, or an endocrinologist. So, first you have to satisfy the relevant people that hormones are what you need. You'll probably be put on a fairly low dose at first, and that dose is typically increased somewhat over a few months. Some of the hormones available here are only available on an National Health Service. Androcur, in particular, can only be prescribed once your doctor rings the NHS and tells them that it’s for "reduction of sex drive in a sexually deviant male." Yes, I know someone who has the NHS up before the Anti-Discrimination Commission.

When you get your script filled, it's usually a good idea to go to one of the larger chemists. The reason for this are twofold. Firstly, in my experience larger chemists are much less likely to question the script, as they've probably had other transsexual customers, and secondly, many smaller chemists don't usually stock Androcur, as it isn't an extremely common drug. Once you've found a good chemist, keep going there. Once they've established that you're a regular customer, you'll find that they will always have a stock of the drugs you use, and you won't have to spell out your address all the time (doctors have terrible handwriting).

Hormone prescriptions are kept at a reasonable price by the National Health Service. For example, a standard script of Androcur only costs $16.80 here, whereas in the US, or elsewhere, you can expect to pay hundreds of dollars.

You'll probably have to go back to your endocrinologist at least once a year. You'll need regular blood tests to monitor your hormone levels, and to ensure that your liver remains in healthy working order.

One last thing: I'm sick to death of people plugging the benefits of herbal hormones. I tried them once, religiously, for about 4 months, and found that all they did was make me pee a whole heap, make me feel rather sick, and soak up my money at a shocking rate. Yes, they do have mild oestrogen like qualities, but for pities sake, I'm taking something like four times the daily dose of oestrogen that a menopausal woman would be on, plus Androcur. And I'm on a low dose! In order to get anything resembling decent feminisation out of these things, you have to take really huge, toxic doses. DON'T DO IT. If you feel so strongly that you'd do damage to your body with these things, I'm positive your doctor would prescribe the proper hormones for you. And you'd do it under proper medical supervision, too.