Go to Content Go to Navigation Go to Navigation Go to Site Search Homepage

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is proud to provide gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks ages 16 and up. 

GAHT services are available at all PPIL health centers statewide and via telehealth.

Gender-affirming care goes far beyond just hormone therapy. We are committed to providing high-quality, respectful, compassionate care to transgender individuals in all of our services, including abortion, sexual and reproductive health care, and behavioral health support.

LEER EN ESPAÑOL

Learn more and get started

Call 877.200.PPIL to learn more or make your first appointment for gender-affirming hormone therapy at PPIL We are here to help.

Make an appointment

Gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is tailored to the individual based on their medical history and transition goals. Generally speaking, hormone therapy can be broken into two categories:

Estrogen-based therapy

Blocking natural testosterone production in the body through anti-androgen medications (spironolactone, finasteride, dutasteride) and adding estrogen and/or progesterone to induce breast growth, skin softening, fat redistribution and emotional/psychological changes to better align with one’s gender identity.

Testosterone-based therapy

Adding testosterone to induce facial and body hair growth, voice changes, fat redistribution, stopping monthly periods, and emotional/psychological changes to better align with one’s gender identity.

Your First Appointment

Arrive at the health center and check-in

When you arrive for your appointment, you will answer some questions and fill out some additional paperwork for your medical record.

We want to affirm you at every step of the process, so please let us know what you would like to be called, even if it’s different from your legal name. If necessary, we will keep your legal name on file for insurance and prescriptions.

Meet with a Reproductive Health Assistant to review your medical history

A Reproductive Health Assistant will take you back into the exam room to complete your initial intake. They will ask you questions about your medical history, including whether you’ve ever been on hormones before or if you’ve had any surgeries.

We only ask questions that are relevant to your care with us and you are welcome to skip any questions you don’t want to answer.

Meet with your provider to discuss your goals and begin treatment

Your provider will review your intake and medical history and discuss your transition goals with you. Together, you will review PPIL’s Informed Consent and your provider will answer any questions you have. Once you sign the consent, your provider will send your medication to your preferred pharmacy.* Physical exams are not a routine part of GAHT care at PPIL. 

If you’re interested in birth control, STI screening, HIV prevention (PrEP) or other services at PPIL, let your provider know.

* Some insurance companies require additional paperwork and information to be submitted for certain GAHT medications which may delay when you can pick up your medication, and might limit what medications you can get using insurance. Some pharmacies may not keep certain GAHT medications in stock and will have to special order them, which may delay pick-up. Certain medical conditions can increase the risks of some GAHT medications; if you have these condition(s), your provider will work with you to minimize risk while affirming your gender. Reviewing your medical records and coming up with the best possible plan may sometimes cause a delay in prescribing, but most patients will receive a prescription at their first medical visit. 

Meet with our Social Services Team (optional for adults 18+)

If you are 16 or 17, you will be scheduled to meet with a member of our Behavioral Health team prior to your first visit with a medical provider. The Behavioral Health clinician will share information about Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy and assess whether you and your family need any further support. All of your legal guardians must be present at this visit and your first clinical visit in order to sign a medical consent. 

Adults 18 and older have the option to schedule an appointment with a Case Manager or Behavioral Health clinician at any time and even if receiving hormone therapy is not part of affirming your gender. This optional appointment provides additional time for questions and gives our team a chance to share valuable resources with you, including information on legal name and gender marker changes; information about local surgeons; the process of getting approved for surgery; and updating legal documents such as passports, birth certificates, and state IDs. 

Our Behavioral Health team can also provide mental health support and resources, if desired.

Return for follow-up care

In your first year of care, you should plan for 4 visits, with blood work:

  • your first appointment,
  • a 3-month follow-up,
  • a 6-month follow-up, and
  • a 12-month follow-up.

Frequency of visits may change based on your medical history, your medications, and the results of your blood tests.

Additional Resources

Click here to find a comprehensive list of additional gender-affirming resources for patients in Illinois and nationally. This list includes support groups, crisis intervention lines, gender-affirming surgery providers, legal assistance with name or gender marker changes, and more. 

Care. No matter what.

We are honored to provide these essential services to transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive individuals across the Midwest.

Thank you for trusting us with your care!

Make an appointment