Requirements for hormone therapy for adults

Tags: transgender

The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association provides the eligibility and readiness criteria for transgender adults seeking hormone therapy:

Eligibility

  • 18 years of age
  • 3 months of real-life experience living in the desired role or 3 months of psychotherapy prior to HT
  • Demonstrable knowledge of hormone effects, risks, benefits, and treatment
  • Informed consent and consideration of banking of sperm or eggs
  •  

Readiness

  • 18 years of age
  • Living in the role or psychotherapy period has furthered gender transition.
  • The patient is free from psychosis, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
  • The patient is deemed compliant and responsible before dosing begins.


Surgical Guidelines
Transgender surgery is an option for adults who are diagnosed by a mental health care provider as having gender identity disorder. In actuality, very few transgender patients undergo sexual reassignment surgery. The following surgical guidelines pertain to transgender people seeking reassignment surgery:

  • 12 months of continuous hormone therapy (HT) before surgery, unless contraindicated by health factors, or by successful "living in the role" experience
  • Discontinue HT 3 weeks before surgery
  • Knowledge of cost, hospitalization, complications, and rehabilitation
  • Letters of recommendation from therapist, psychiatrist
  • Living "in the role" for real-life crossgender experience for a full year before surgery
  • Legal age of 18 years old for elective surgery
  • Psychotherapy prior to surgery, if required by mental health care provider
  • Surgeon approval


Adapted from The Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders. 1998. Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association.