Gender Affirming Care: Hormone Therapy

Planned Parenthood of Delaware offers gender affirming health care services. We are committed to decreasing barriers to health care for transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary patients. Gender affirming hormone therapy consists of either feminizing (estrogen) or masculinizing (testosterone) hormones. Many transgender people take hormone therapy as part of a gender transition to help their bodies and appearance align with their gender identity.

Our services include:

• Gender affirming hormone therapy for individuals aged 17 and older.  Parental/guardian consent required for <18 years.

• Resources and referrals for primary care, mental health, surgery, dental care, legal services, electrolysis, support groups, and more.

• Sensitive sexual/reproductive health care and preventive screenings.

Hormone therapy services include:

• Feminizing Hormone Therapy including estrogen and anti-androgen medications.

• Masculinizing Hormone Therapy including testosterone.

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.  PPDE 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.

What To Expect On Your First Visit:

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.

Based on the results of this visit, most patients are 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 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 Delaware is proud to be your sexual healthcare provider in every way. In addition to hormone therapy services, please know that well-checks, STD testing and treatment, HIV testing, clinical breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, abortion care, and other healthcare services are also available for transgender patients. We look forward to serving you.