Health care that affirms who you are. 

Gender-affirming care includes any medical or mental health care that supports transgender and non-binary people's transition process. We offer gender-affirming hormone therapy at PPGP, which consists of either feminizing (estrogen) or masculinizing (testosterone) hormones. Many trans people take hormones as part of medical transition to help their bodies and appearance align with their gender identity.

Transitioning 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, and/or coming out to friends and family. Not all transgender and non-binary people engage in all types of transition, but for many, gender-affirming care is an essential part of transition.

Some people feel a misalignment between their body and their gender, which may cause discomfort or distress. For those who feel this way, gender-affirming hormone therapy can produce changes in the body that can alleviate that discomfort or distress, and make you feel more at ease with yourself both emotionally and physically.

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. 

Gender-affirming hormones function by helping your body to develop different secondary sex characteristics, resulting in a more masculine or feminine appearance. Beginning gender-affirming hormone therapy has many similarities to going through puberty. For more specific information, see What are the effects of testosterone? and What are the effects of estrogen?

It depends on a lot of things, including your transition goals, insurance status and type, income, and other factors. PPGP accepts most major insurances and our financial counselors will work with you to determine how to pay for hormone therapy, whether you have insurance or not.

• 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.

Although hormones taken in adulthood can help to keep your bones healthy, they can't alter your skeletal shape or your height.

Like many other medications, you'll need to keep taking hormones as long as you want to maintain all of the effects. Some of the effects of hormones are permanent once changes have occurred in your body, and others will revert if you stop taking hormones. If you're interested in starting hormones, your doctor will review with you which changes are permanent and which are not before prescribing any medication.

• 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.

Although hormones taken in adulthood can help to keep your bones healthy, they can't alter your skeletal shape or your height.