Hormones occur naturally in our bodies. Testosterone and estrogen are two that help regulate male or female characteristics (like body hair and breasts). For transpeople, taking additional hormones can help bring the body you were born with more in line with your gender identity.
Your health care provider must fully access your medical situation before any decision can be made about prescribing hormones. This assessment usually takes place over a three month period, during which you will make at least five office visits to meet with your health care provider.
The preparatory steps are very important as they are meant to protect your health and well-being. Therefore, we ask every individual seeking hormone therapy at our Centre to complete them.
During this time, your provider does the following:
■ Takes a detailed medical history of you and your family
■ Explores your expectations regarding transition and hormone therapy
■ Discusses and educate you on the effects of hormone therapy
■ Assesses your general health and base-line hormone levels through a physical exam and blood tests
■ Discusses your health and any concerns resulting from your physical exam
■ Determines if additional medical tests are required. If so, he or she will review the results with you
■ Refers you to psychiatric assessment if needed and review the assessment data with you
Once the preparatory steps are completed, your provider decides if hormone therapy is suitable for your situation. Before you start hormone therapy, you must sign a consent form.
Before you sign the consent form, your provider ensures that you fully understand the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. He or she also requests that you agree to maintain regular follow-up visits to monitor your progress and makes other recommendations related to your care.
If hormone therapy is not in your best interest, your provider will recommend that you postpone hormone therapy until you are fully ready. This will allow time to work out any outstanding physical or emotional issues and build adequate social and professional supports.
Hormone Therapy and Trans Health resources.