Hormone therapy for transgender people
Gender-affirming hormone therapy helps align physical characteristics with a person's identity, and should be provided with respect, safety, and care tailored to each person's health.
Care centered on the individual
Everyone's goals and needs are different. An assessment by a specialist helps plan the right type of medication, dosage, follow-up, and health checks, while respecting each person's decisions and privacy.
Why you shouldn't self-medicate
Using hormones without monitoring can mean not getting the right dose, experiencing side effects, or missing essential health checks. Visiting a friendly clinic gives you access to accurate information and helps you plan more safely.
Remember: Results and the timeline of changes vary from person to person. Do not adjust your own dosage or take medication based on other people's experiences.
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SisterHood brings together spaces and information for transgender women, including a way to find health services that respect your identity and offer private counseling.
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USING THIS GUIDE
Questions to take to a gender-affirming provider
Before an appointment, write down the physical or emotional changes you hope for, medicines and supplements you currently use, previous health conditions, smoking or substance use, fertility goals, and questions about cost or follow-up. This helps a qualified provider discuss expected changes, changes that may not be reversible, possible side effects, interactions, monitoring, and alternatives in relation to your own priorities.
Ask which baseline checks are recommended, when follow-up is expected, how results will be communicated, and whom to contact if a problem occurs. Doses and formulations that are appropriate for one person may not be appropriate for another. Do not share prescription medicine, copy another person’s dose, or increase a dose to speed up changes. More medicine does not reliably produce safer or faster results and can increase harm.
Respectful care should include informed decision-making, privacy, accurate records, and space to ask questions without pressure. If a provider dismisses serious symptoms or treats you disrespectfully, seek another qualified service when possible. Get urgent medical attention for severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, loss of consciousness, or another acute symptom rather than waiting for a routine follow-up appointment.
