Pellets and Posts: An Introduction to my doctor John O'Dea M.D.
Hello, hello, hello! How goes the lonely, tattered world of the transgender circus? I’ve just come from my Endocrinologist and received some top notch transgender care. Really, the care of a doctor that just treats you like a person or a woman and not like some sort of lab-rat curiosity is world class treatment for #girlslikeus. :D

Dr. John O’Dea specializes in transgender endocrinology, and I was blessed by the trans-faeries (are all faeries trans?) to meet him. It’s quite funny going into his practice, because he doesn’t bill insurance. So what does that mean? It means he doesn’t have an army of accountant/medical clerks to herd and watch over. It’s such a calm environment. Now, his cost can be a little prohibitive to some because he only accepts payment up front. Hormones that are used in conventional care are cheap, but the hormones he uses are compounded specifically for his practice. For me, it’s worth the cost, for a number of reasons.
First, let me explain his primary method of Hormone Replacement Therapy. By the way, he also treats menopausal genetic women. He is an advocate of the usage of sub-dermal, dense pellets of hormones. They look like this:

They are inserted after the area has been cleaned, disinfected, and anesthetized. The Estrogen pellets last for up to 6 months, but after 3-4 months, new pellets should be implanted. This is because there is a drop-off in the levels of hormones being introduced into the body as the pellets slowly get dissolved. It’s pretty straightforward. The levels of Estrogen have been titrated by the good doctor to not only suppress the production of Testosterone but also begin and promote the process of feminization in the genetically male body.
Next, after you have been on the pellets for some time, he might add in a pellet of Testosterone. Now, I know you’re thinking “Testosterone is the enemy! Why would I want more of it?” Well, genetic women produce small amounts of testosterone in their ovaries which contribute to proper muscle tone, sexual functioning, and many other wonderful and natural outcomes. You might also say “Abbie! I already have testes, can’t they make the Testosterone for free?” Well, because the Estrogen from the pellets is at such a high level to push the body from masculine to feminine, the feedback loop that the brain uses to signal for T production goes dormant. The Pellets are basically your new reproductive organs. You’re not really a cyborg, but I guess you could pass if you wanted to. :)
One last thing, Dr. O’Dea also supplements with Progestins. I say Progestins and not progesterone because, well he can go into that later when I do an interview with him. Basically, he has a specially compounded formula of Progestins that he administers every 6 weeks or so via an intramuscular injection. Although the usage of Progestins or synthetic progesterone is considered “controversial,” Dr. O’Dea feels that:
"When estrogens are administered, particularly in generous dosage, the concomitant use of progesterone appears to offset the mental side effects of the estrogens, and both progesterone and progestins powerfully complement estrogen as both a feminizing and especially a demasculinizing force. They particularly stimulate breast development and both nipple development and nipple sensitivity."
I’m in process of doing a full interview with Dr. O’Dea about his approach and philosophy. I hope to have that up here soon!
Links:
O’Dea Medical Hormone Centers