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.

Transitioning, or a gender transition, is the process some  people may go through to live as the gender with which they identify, rather than the sex assigned to them at birth. Transitioning can involve medical treatment and hormones, changing name and pronouns, altering appearance and dress, or coming out to your friends and family. Not all transgender people transition. Gender affirming hormone therapy is an essential part of transition for many transgender people.

Hormone therapy can make you feel more at ease with yourself, both emotionally and physically. You may be experiencing discomfort because you are not happy with your appearance, or in your gender role. Perhaps your appearance and your gender role are in conflict with your inner sense of gender identity. If this is how you are feeling, hormone treatment may help you to overcome your distress.

No, many transgender people transition without surgery. Some have no desire to pursue surgeries or other medical treatment. If you're interested in surgical options, we can refer you to other health care providers. 

Hormones are helpful in making your appearance more masculine or feminine. Beginning gender affirming hormone therapy has many similarities to going through puberty. Although hormones taken in adulthood can help to keep your bones healthy, they can't alter your skeletal shape or your height.

PPGNHI accepts most major insurances and can help you understand the costs of services. Our financial counselors will work with you to determine how to pay for hormone therapy, whether you have insurance or not. We provide care to everyone, regardless of your ability to pay.

• Fat may be distributed on the hips.
• The size of the penis and testicles may be slightly reduced.
• Erections and orgasms may be harder to achieve.
• Muscle bulk and strength may be reduced.
• Breasts may feel tender and lumpy and may sometimes increase modestly in size.
• The growth of facial and body hair may slow.
• Androgenetic alopecia (baldness) may be slowed or stopped.

You'll need to take hormones for the rest of your life if you want to maintain the effects of hormone therapy. 

• Beard and body hair growth will be promoted.
• Androgenetic alopecia (baldness) may develop.
• The clitoris increases slightly in size.
• Libido may be heightened.
• Muscle bulk increases.
• The voices deepens.
• Periods will stop, although there may be some breakthrough bleeding.
• Some individuals develop acne.