Medicine

The practice of transgender medicine includes the prescribing of medications to assist individuals with physical transition, enabling them to express their authentic gender identity. Gender-affirming hormone therapy changes secondary sexual characteristics so that they become aligned with one’s experienced identity. This usually leads to a decrease in gender dysphoria. Medical providers determine the appropriate doses and routes of administration and monitor for side effects. Collaboration with other specialists, including therapists and surgeons, is often essential in assisting the individual through the transition process. Many providers are also involved with training the next generation of medical clinicians.

Trans patients now have better access to treatment than in the past, owing to increased availability of affirming providers and better insurance coverage for gender-affirming medical or surgical care. As ...