If you’re 17 or younger, you need your parent or guardian’s consent to get gender-affirming hormone replacement therapies (HRT) like testosterone and estrogen. However, some states are trying to pass laws blocking people under certain ages from getting HRT, even with parental consent. Contact your nearest Planned Parenthood health center to find out what’s happening in your state.
For now, you can legally get HRT across the United States on your own if you’re 18+, or with a parent’s consent if you’re under 18. But access isn’t just about the law:
- Some health care providers require both parental consent and a minimum age requirement for people younger than 18. For example, some Planned Parenthood health centers only provide HRT to patients who have parental consent and are at least 16 years old, while others only provide HRT for ages 18+. Other doctors may prescribe hormones to patients who are 12 and up with parental consent.
- You might be required to get a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria to get gender-affirming care, or to get your care covered by your health insurance plan. The doctors who make these diagnoses factor in your age and how long you have known your gender.
Not all Planned Parenthood health centers provide HRT, but all Planned Parenthood health centers provide a safe and welcoming place for transgender and nonbinary patients of any age. Check with your nearest Planned Parenthood health center to see if they offer gender-affirming health care, and what their policies are around age. If they don’t provide HRT, or have age limits that affect you, they may be able to refer you to other providers in your area.
Tags: Gender-affirming Care, estrogen-based hormone therapy, testosterone, trans health care