Gender Affirming Healthcare

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas is proud to serve transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people for their sexual healthcare needs. We are committed to improving the way Texans receive healthcare in our community, including eliminating barriers to that care.

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Gender Affirming Healthcare Services:
_{Estrogen Based Hormone Therapy
Testosterone Hormone Therapy}

If you are eligible, Planned Parenthood staff may be able to start hormone therapy as early as the first visit. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas follows an informed consent treatment model, which means our patients will not be required to provide an approval letter from a therapist to begin hormone therapy. If you are already receiving hormone therapy, you can contact Planned Parenthood for an appointment for ongoing care and monitoring. Planned Parenthood health center staff will provide referrals for gender-qualified therapy and resources if needed.

Currently, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas does not provide Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy for minors.

Online Booking & Telehealth Appointments

Planned Parenthood is dedicated to making healthcare accessible and welcoming to everyone who needs that care, no matter what. We are currently booking both new and return Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy patients. See below for online booking and telehealth options:

We currently offer two types of telehealth appointments: video visits scheduled by our contact center and virtual visits through the Planned Parenthood Direct app.

During a video visit, you'll use your phone or computer (Chrome browser works best) to have a live conversation with your clinician. It's a lot like an appointment at a health center, but instead of talking in-person, you'll discuss your health care needs and medical history over a secure video call.
A Planned Parenthood Direct virtual visit is a lot like having a email or chat conversation with your clinician. All communication happens within the app. Visit our virtual clinic here.

When you make an appointment by phone or in person, and when you arrive for that appointment, your forms and health records at Planned Parenthood will provide appropriately diverse gender options. However, our online scheduling system currently offers limited options for gender and gender identity. Planned Parenthood is working with our online scheduling system vendor to expand options as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, we felt online booking remained an important resource for our transgender patients as we work diligently towards a more inclusive solution. Thank you for your patience.

Video Visits
Video visits are currently available for birth control and emergency contraception appointments. Payment options for video visits varies by state and you'll need to schedule your appointment ahead of time by calling 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).
Planned Parenthood Direct
Our Planned Parenthood Direct app delivers birth control, emergency contraception (WA state only), and UTI treatment direct to you. You can start a Planned Parenthood Direct visit anytime you want, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Download the app on Google Play or the App Store.

What To Expect

All Planned Parenthood patients are asked to provide their preferred name and pronouns, in addition to legal names, at check-in so that we can serve our patients with the highest level of courtesy.

At your initial visit, your clinician will discuss with you the informed consent process, your gender identity history, and will review both the positive effects and possible risk factors for hormone therapy. A comprehensive history will be obtained and reviewed. The clinician will perform routine lab work to make sure you are a healthy candidate for hormone therapy.

In order to continue receiving your hormones, you will need to schedule periodic appointments at Planned Parenthood for routine lab work and monitoring. Your clinician will determine the best follow up schedule based upon your needs. Reaching your individualized transition goals will be a gradual process, and your clinician will discuss in-depth what that may look like.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas is proud to be your sexual healthcare provider in every way. In addition to hormone therapy services, please know that well-checks, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing, clinical breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, and other healthcare services are also available for transgender patients.

Based on the results of the visit, most patients have prescribed hormones that day. Together, you and your clinician will make the best decision for you.

In order to continue receiving your hormones, you will need to schedule periodic appointments at Planned Parenthood for routine lab work and monitoring. Your clinician will determine the best follow-up schedule based on your needs. If you have any questions regarding our Gender Affirming Care program, please call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).

Resources and F.A.Q

Payment Options

Costs for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy vary depending on your individual needs and insurance coverage, but generally include the initial consultation visit ($120-$150 per visit) plus the cost of laboratory fees and medication.

Planned Parenthood accepts most major insurance plans. We also accept payment by cash, check, and credit card. Payments are due at the time of service.

Planned Parenthood staff will contact your insurance provider to confirm hormone therapy services are covered, but we encourage all patients to contact their insurance providers prior to an appointment to ensure coverage.

Additional Resources for Transgender Patients

All patients will receive a list of social and community resources in their region. Medical, surgical, legal, and mental health provider resource lists are available upon request.

Criteria for Starting Hormone Therapy

Hormone readiness is determined through informed consent. Informed consent means you can demonstrate understanding of both the risks and the benefits of hormone therapy and you and your clinician have both decided that this is the appropriate time for you to begin this process. Patients are not required to provide an approval letter from a therapist to start hormone therapy. PPGT believes that when fully informed, patients are capable of determining what is best for themselves and their health. We do encourage patients to connect with a mental health provider as indicated for quality, comprehensive care. Referrals for transgender-friendly mental health providers will be provided upon patient request.

Our criteria for hormone therapy reflect the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines. Criteria to start hormone therapy may include the following:

· Ability to give informed consent

· Age of majority (18+ years old)

· Persistent gender dysphoria

· Any other medical or mental health issues are reasonably well controlled.

Your clinician will discuss these criteria in detail during your initial visit and determine whether they are fulfilled.

Informed consent

Hormone readiness is determined through informed consent. Informed consent means you can demonstrate understanding of both the risks and the benefits of hormone therapy and you and your clinician have both decided that this is the appropriate time for you to begin this process. Patients are not required to provide an approval letter from a therapist to start hormone therapy. PPGT believes that when fully informed, patients are capable of determining what is best for themselves and their health. We do encourage patients to connect with a mental health provider as indicated for quality, comprehensive care. Referrals for transgender-friendly mental health providers will be provided upon patient request.

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Gender Affirming Healthcare