Hormone Therapy and Transition-Related Care

Gender affirming treatment for transgender and gender diverse students/patients at UNC Campus Health is managed through primary care teams under an informed consent model of care. Students work with a medical provider to develop a treatment plan based on the individual’s goals of treatment and any medical & mental health care needs.

Understanding the goals and concerns of the patient is central to gender affirming care at UNC Campus Health. Whether and when any gender affirming medical interventions are recommended or initiated depends on the patient’s specific situation and needs. Our criteria for hormone therapy are informed by the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) guidelines and are in accordance with other leading institutes providing care for transgender & gender diverse populations.

Criteria for Hormonal Therapy:

• Capacity to give informed consent
• Age of majority (18 years old or older)
• Persistent, documented gender dysphoria (this is part of what you will discuss with your provider)
• Any other medical or mental health issues are reasonably well controlled

Your provider will discuss the informed consent process, discuss your gender identity development history or narrative, review effects, and possible risk factors for hormone therapy prior to writing a prescription. 

For those individuals who are younger than 18 years of age and interested in initiating hormone therapy, the informed consent process would need to directly involve both the patient and their parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s). 

What to Expect When Initiating Hormonal Therapy at Campus Health 

For students who are interested in initiating hormonal therapy, you can expect the following at your initial clinic visits:

First Appointment(s) / Initial Intake:

Your provider will review your prior medical history, gender development history, social history, and hormone therapy goals. Your provider will likely obtain baseline labs for purposes of monitoring while taking hormonal therapy.

Depending on your history and needs, the initial intake process may take more than one or two appointments.

Second (or more) Appointment(s):

Follow-up of previous visits includes any additional tests or assessments, discussion of risks & benefits of treatment, signing of informed consent for treatment.

If appropriate, you may be able to initiate hormone treatments at this visit.