Gender-affirming care: what it is and how to get it

Getting gender-affirming care changes lives. Many people feel calmer, safer, and more confident after starting care — but getting started can be confusing. This page gives clear, practical steps you can use right now: what care includes, how to find trustworthy providers, safety basics, and questions to ask your clinician.

What gender-affirming care covers

It’s more than hormones and surgeries. Care can include social support (name and gender marker changes, voice training), mental health therapy, puberty blockers for young people, hormone therapy (like estradiol or testosterone), and surgical options when desired. Each part has real medical steps: doctors check blood tests, monitor doses, and adjust treatment over time. If you’re considering hormones, talk about fertility preservation first — sperm or egg storage may be an important option before starting irreversible treatments.

Hormone therapy comes in different forms and doses. For transfeminine care, clinicians often use estradiol plus an anti-androgen; for transmasculine care, testosterone is typical. Labs like liver function, lipids, and hormone levels are usually checked at the start and regularly after that. That monitoring keeps you safe and lets your provider tweak your plan to fit you.

How to find care and stay safe

Start by looking for local clinics that offer transgender health, LGBTQ+ centers, or telehealth services with trans-experienced clinicians. Ask if they use an "informed consent" model — that means you can start hormones after a discussion without mandatory psychotherapy, though counseling is often helpful. If cost is a worry, ask about sliding scales, local community clinics, or patient assistance programs. Insurance may cover part or all of care if you have clear documentation and codes from your provider.

Be careful with online purchases. Only use licensed pharmacies and telemedicine services. Avoid sellers that don’t require a prescription or fail to show licensure. If you’re using telehealth, confirm the clinician is licensed in your state or country and will provide lab orders and follow-up.

Prepare for your first visit: bring ID, a short medical history, a list of current meds, and questions about fertility, side effects, timelines for changes, and lab monitoring. Ask how often you’ll have follow-ups and what emergency contact options exist.

If mental health support is part of your plan, look for therapists who specialize in gender care or have LGBTQ+ experience. Peer groups and community centers can also help you find navigators who know local resources and paperwork steps for name or gender marker changes.

Need more reading? Our hormone therapy and HRT articles can help you understand options and safety checks. If something feels off during treatment — unusual symptoms, extreme mood change, or signs of infection after surgery — contact your provider right away. You deserve care that’s informed, respectful, and safe.