Gender-Affirming Care

Yes. Students who want hormone therapy will first schedule an appointment with a provider who specializes in gender-affirming care. During the appointment, the student’s gender identity, goals, and medical history will be discussed. The provider will order laboratory tests and may perform a brief physical exam. The risks and benefits of hormone therapy will be reviewed, including what changes to expect, and a plan of care will be established. The goal is to help students have all the information needed to make the best decision for their treatment.

Some people take hormones regularly over a lifetime, others may choose to take them short-term or even intermittently. The type of delivery method, dose, and timing of hormones is an individual decision and varies based on each person’s goals and how their body responds.

Testosterone is used to reduce estrogen-related features and induce testosterone-related features (such as voice tone, body hair, and body composition) to make people feel more at ease in their body. Each person responds differently to taking testosterone and the amount of change varies from person to person. Testosterone – Fact Sheet*

Estrogen and testosterone-blockers are used to reduce testosterone-related features and induce estrogen-related features (such as breast size, body hair, and body composition) to make people feel more at ease in their body. Each person responds differently to taking estrogen and testosterone-blockers and the amount of change varies from person to person. Estrogen and Testosterone-Blockers – Fact Sheet*

No. The decision to take gender-affirming medication is an individual choice. For some people, it can be affirming and support their gender identity and expression. Others may feel that hormones are not needed to express their gender identity.

Hormone therapy is not needed to change a legal gender marker nor is it required to request most surgeries.

For most people, hormones can be used safely when taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider. There may be some risks to consider based on family history or individual health conditions. Exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, working on stress management, and reducing/eliminating nicotine use are keys to staying healthy. Health maintenance and screening exams are done based on organs that are present.

Yes. Students receiving gender-affirming care who are interested in working with a mental health provider can meet with a Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) counselor or SHS Social Worker to determine where to receive care. Students may be referred off-campus to get long-term counseling and support.

STRIDE- Services for Trans, Intersex, and Gender Diverse Experiences is a program at UCSD that employs a holistic approach to gender health and wellness. STRIDE offers case management and care coordination for individuals seeking both medical and non-medical gender-affirming services and resources. The program includes education and safety training on gender health gear (such as tucking wear, binders, and tape), provides appointments for brief gender health counseling and education, and offers referrals to specialized medical care. To contact STRIDE for an appointment, please email stride@health.ucsd.edu with name, PID, and topics to discuss in the appointment.

Students may also wish to contact the UCSD LGBT Resource Center on campus for support and information. The LGBT Resource Center phone number is (858) 822-3493.

Students who are interested in surgery need a written referral from their SHS provider to see a surgical specialist. Currently, in order to seek coverage through our insurance, letters from one or two mental health professionals are needed depending on the surgery. We have providers that can write these letters for students who do not have their own therapist or psychiatrist that can provide a letter. The procedures and protocols to access surgery largely follow the current WPATH requirements, although flexibility for safety issues and for stress on the individual are being considered. All surgery must be preauthorized by the insurance underwriter, Anthem Blue Cross, before being approved.

Refer to the Cost of Services page for fee schedules.