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I would like to change my hormone prescription. How do I do that?

Unless a change is being recommended based on follow-up of lab results by a nurse or clinician due to lab concerns, you will need to have a follow-up visit to change your medications. Changing medication doses or hormone routes can only be made at PPCWNY at an appointment with a clinician. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate medication adjustment requests made via the portal or phone. Please note that changes may require additional lab work.

What hormone therapy options does PPCWNY offer?

The complete list of gender affirming hormone medications we can prescribe is as follows: spironolactone, finasteride, estradiol intramuscular injections, estradiol patches, estradiol pills (swallowed or dissolved under the tongue), progestin medications (progesterone pills, Depo-Provera injections), testosterone intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, testosterone patches, and testosterone gels. 

I am prescribed oral (swallowed) estradiol, but I have heard you get higher estradiol levels by dissolving the pills under the tongue (sublingual) — can I switch?

Please do not change the route by which you are taking your estradiol tablets without speaking to a clinician to ensure appropriate dose adjustment and lab follow-up. 

Does PPCWNY prescribe bicalutamide or SERM medications?

We follow Planned Parenthood Federation of America Medical Standards and Guidelines. Based on these guidelines, we cannot offer bicalutamide or selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) prescriptions.

I am anxious/nervous about doing my own shot. Can one of the medical staff do it for me?

Yes. This requires a nurse-only appointment at one of our health centers. We can help troubleshoot injection techniques, ways to decrease discomfort, and answer any questions you may have about injections. You can also consider having a support person perform your injections for you. 

Does PPCWNY prescribe testosterone auto-injectors (XYOSTED®)?

Yes, we can prescribe testosterone auto-injectors. 

Does PPCWNY perform hormone pellet placement?

We do not have hormone pellets or implants for gender affirming hormone care. 

Does PPCWNY offer prescriptions through compounding pharmacies?

We may be able to provide prescriptions through compounding pharmacies in very specific circumstances. 

I’m already on hormones — can I transfer my records to Planned Parenthood and become a patient?

Yes. If you are already being seen by a medical provider for hormone treatment, or have been self-managing hormones, and wish to transfer your care to PPCWNY, we would be happy to see you. If applicable, please bring the records of your most recent care to your first appointment, including details regarding dosing and any recent labs.

Will I have to quit smoking to start gender affirming hormone care at PPCWNY?

We encourage all people not to smoke or vape tobacco or nicotine products for their general health. Among other risks, cigarette smoking increases the risk of blood clots in the lungs or the legs. Because estrogen can also increase blood clot risks, we strongly encourage patients to stop smoking/vaping tobacco before receiving a prescription for all types of estrogen. Estradiol patches (transdermal) have the best data to suggest little to no increased risk of blood clots, so patches may be the safest estradiol option for people who use tobacco or nicotine products. Tobacco use may also make estrogen-based hormones less effective.