Gender Affirming Healthcare Resources

Everyone shares some basic health care needs, such as annual checkups, preventive care, and STD testing as needed. Everyone also deserves to be treated well and seen for who you are when you see a doctor or nurse. Transgender individuals may have gender-related health care concerns and needs, in addition to just finding a safe and inclusive healthcare provider. Because gender-affirming treatments such as hormones and surgery can improve trans and nonbinary people’s health, they are considered “medically necessary.” If you want to transition medically by using hormones or having surgery, it’s important to get care from a trustworthy nurse or doctor. The kinds of services you need will depend on what feels right for you. Not all transgender and nonbinary people need or want the same treatments.

Unfortunately, gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgeries may not be easy to access. They can be expensive and are sometimes not be covered by specific insurance policies. It is also likely that trans youth under 18 will need a parent or legal guardian’s permission for gender-affirming treatments. Gender-affirming treatments might include things like:

Gender-affirming hormone treatment to change some of your secondary sex characteristics
Professional voice training or voice therapy
Top surgery to change the shape of your chest
Bottom surgery to change your genitals
Facial surgeries