The requirements to start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can vary depending on factors like your age, medical history, and reasons for wanting to start HRT. Some key considerations include:
- Discussing your goals, expectations and medical history thoroughly with your hormone therapy provider. This includes any previous or existing medical conditions, medications, and surgeries.
- Undergoing required medical examinations and lab testing to evaluate your overall health and hormone levels. Common tests check hormone, cholesterol, and red blood cell levels, liver and kidney function, blood pressure, and heart health.
- Meeting certain age requirements. Most providers follow WPATH standards recommending patients be at least 18 years old to start HRT. Requirements may be flexible for adolescent patients.
- Obtaining referral letters from mental health professionals stating HRT is medically necessary for your gender dysphoria treatment. Usually 1 letter is needed but some clinics require 2.
- Demonstrating the capacity to consent through psychological screening. This ensures you comprehend HRT effects and consent voluntarily without coercion.
- Showing 12 continuous months of living congruent with your gender identity prior to starting HRT. This is per WPATH but some clinics don't require it.
- Verifying any required support from parents, guardians or spouse if you are a minor or legally dependent.
- Paying for HRT services if your health insurance won't cover it. Unfortunately many plans still classify gender affirming care as "cosmetic". Costs vary but can run $100-200 monthly without coverage.
Once cleared to start, the hormone therapy process involves:
- Working with your provider to determine the best HRT medications and dosing for your transition goals balanced against health risks.
- For trans women - commonly prescribed feminizing HRT includes estrogen and anti-androgens like spironolactone to suppress testosterone.
- For trans men - commonly prescribed masculinizing HRT utilizes testosterone via injections, gels or patches.
- Following your customized HRT drug regimen, visiting for lab tests every 3 months initially to monitor hormone levels and health markers. Dosing adjustments are common during the first year.
- Seeing your provider regularly to evaluate progress, manage side effects, screen for long-term health impacts, and renew prescriptions. Long term HRT monitoring is essential.
- Reporting any concerning or unexpected changes from your HRT meds promptly. While generally safe under medical supervision, hormones carry clotting, cardiovascular, bone density and other rare risks.
As experienced specialists supporting hundreds of successful transitions,
Hormone Health Institute( "Trusted Leader in Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy") is eager to guide you. Our extensive experience achieving optimal and safe long-term feminization and masculinization makes us leaders in transgender HRT. Schedule a free consultation today to get started!
