There is no set minimum age requirement to start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Pennsylvania. However, most doctors recommend waiting until at least age 16 to begin feminizing or masculinizing hormone therapy.
Key factors in determining readiness for HRT in minors:
- Mental health evaluation: Assessing the minor's mental health, maturity, understanding of the effects of HRT, and capacity to consent to treatment. This usually involves meeting with a therapist or psychologist knowledgeable about gender dysphoria and transgender healthcare.
- Informed consent: Ensuring the minor and guardians fully understand the risks, benefits, and effects of HRT. Informed consent documents may need to be signed.
- Readiness: Evaluating physical, social, and emotional factors to determine if the minor is developmentally ready to start HRT. Healthcare providers take a careful, individualized approach.
- Support system: Assessing the minor's support system, including parents/guardians, to ensure appropriate medical care and emotional support during transition. Strong family support is ideal.
The process for starting HRT:
- Meet with a gender therapist. A letter from the therapist detailing the minor's gender dysphoria diagnosis and recommendation to start HRT is usually required.
- Have medical exams & lab tests. This checks overall health and creates a hormonal baseline prior to starting HRT.
- Obtain parental consent. Permission from parents/guardians is needed as minors cannot provide full informed consent.
- Meet with an endocrinologist or hormone specialist. They review medical history, create a customized HRT regimen, and monitor progress.
HRT options for transgender youth may include:
- Masculinizing hormones like testosterone:
- Testosterone gel, patches, creams, or injections
- Gradual increase of doses
- Effects: deeper voice, facial/body hair growth, fat redistribution, cessation of periods
- Feminizing hormones like estrogen and spironolactone:
- Estrogen patches, pills, gels, or injections
- Anti-androgens like spironolactone
- Changes happen slower than masculinizing hormones
- Effects: breast growth, decreased muscle mass, fat redistribution, decreased erections
At Vital Hormones Clinic, we take a caring, individualized approach to transgender HRT:
- Board certified endocrinologists and caring staff
- Ongoing lab tests to monitor hormone levels & health
- Mental health services available
- Both masculinizing and feminizing HRT options
- Telehealth appointments available
We understand this is a nuanced, personal process and tailor HRT regimens to each patient's needs in close consultation with the care team.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule your first appointment.
