Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy

Truesdale’s staff is trans-informed, which means we are ready to help you navigate the medical, mental, and wellness aspects of your gender transition.

We provide all our patients quality care and strive to create long-term, trusting relationships. Above all, our team respects and responds to the diverse needs of our community members. You have questions. We have answers!

Gender affirmation hormone therapy is prescribed to help people gain outward characteristics that match their gender identity. It is the most common medical choice for transgender, transfeminine nonbinary, and transmasculine nonbinary individuals who want to change their physical characteristics. It may be used alone or along with gender affirmation surgery.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Transitioning Patients

Transitioning patients often experience many benefits from Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). There are differences between feminizing protocols (male-to-female transition) and virilizing treatments (female-to-male). In other words, each individual responds uniquely. We get that!

Hormone replacement therapy may help you feel more at ease with yourself physically and psychologically. Hormones cause physical changes, such as breast development for those on estrogen or facial hair growth for those on testosterone. Consequently, HRT may increase your comfort with your gender presentation. HRT is often the first medical treatment people seek when they transition, and it may be the only medical treatment you seek during yours.

Maintaining the changes caused by HRT will require you to take hormones for the rest of your life. However, ongoing professional support is critical because HRT is a medical treatment. Our clinic staff will ensure your unique body chemistry responds appropriately and in a healthy way to your regimen. Certainly, HRT delivers many benefits, but there is potential for serious side effects. Moreover, consistent check-ups will benefit your long-term bone, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.

Your initial visit may include any or all of the following:

• Consultation
• Discussion of existing health conditions (if any)
• HIV testing and/or STI/STD screening
• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
• Possible baseline lab work
• Discussion of clinical goals
• Review effects of hormones
• Discuss fertility and family planning
• Discuss mental health
• Informed consent