Planned Parenthood of Michigan Launches Gender-Affirming Care at Lansing and Marquette Health Centers

PPMI will now offer hormone therapy to transgender and nonbinary adults in an inclusive and affirming health care setting

LANSING, Mich. – Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) is proud to announce the launch of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) for patients 18 and older at health centers in Marquette and Lansing, with plans to expand statewide by the end of 2022. Hormone therapy, which includes prescriptions for testosterone, estrogen, or testosterone blockers, is a critical and affirming health service that can reduce gender dysphoria and enhance a patient’s quality of life.

PPMI is committed to providing an inclusive patient experience that acknowledges the full spectrum of gender identities and is free of unnecessary barriers to care. To achieve this, PPMI upgraded electronic medical records to accurately capture patient identities and pronouns, trained staff on gender-inclusive care, and hired a gender-affirming care navigator. To remove unnecessary barriers, providers will follow an informed consent model for hormone therapy. Patients will not be required to see a therapist or obtain an outside referral. Instead, patients will discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with a PPMI clinician and determine the appropriate course of care.

Statement from Dr. Halley Crissman, Director of Gender Affirming Care at Planned Parenthood of Michigan:

“Planned Parenthood of Michigan has provided high quality sexual and reproductive health care to transgender and nonbinary Michiganders for decades. Expanding our services to include gender-affirming hormone therapy will allow us to better meet the needs of our patients and communities. As transgender patients face mounting political attacks, it is more important than ever that Planned Parenthood of Michigan breaks down barriers to care and reaffirms our commitment to the health and rights of transgender Michiganders.”

To ensure PPMI’s gender-affirming care program is patient and community-centered, PPMI has established a statewide community advisory board comprised of 19 transgender and nonbinary community members and allies. The advisory board members serve as community experts and ambassadors, ensuring PPMI’s care and community outreach is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of transgender and nonbinary Michiganders.

Statement from Rainbow, Community Advisory Board Member:

“Gender-affirming care saved my life, but it's not accessible in many rural communities. I feel honored to be a part of an initiative that is making GAHT available to people in isolated areas like the Upper Peninsula. I was very impressed by how standardized and clear everything was at the launch in Marquette. When an individual is seeking GAHT, experiences can vary widely between medical providers because the wider medical world is rife with misconceptions about GAHT. It was uplifting to see that Planned Parenthood is giving people a clearer path forward to GAHT, and training their clinicians to understand and respect people's journeys."

Research shows that gender-affirming hormone therapy saves lives, improves mental health, and improves quality of life. Planned Parenthood of Michigan is working to ensure transgender and nonbinary Michiganders can access this essential health care and live full, authentic, healthy lives.

Patients can make an appointment to discuss gender-affirming hormone therapy at PPMI’s Lansing or Marquette health center by calling 1-800-230-7526. PPMI will add online scheduling options in the coming weeks.

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Planned Parenthood offers affordable reproductive health care for all people through medical services, education and advocacy and is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. Planned Parenthood of Michigan operates health centers across the state, providing medical services and sexual health education for nearly 60,000 Michiganders each year.