Are You Ready To Start Your Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Journey

What do you need to know about gender-affirming hormone therapy? 

Starting gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a beautiful and exciting step on your journey to aligning your body with your true self. It’s a way to help your outside reflect the amazing person you are on the inside. This guide is here to walk you through what hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is all about, with warmth and support for everyone in our rainbow family.

This important part of transgender health helps your body develop physical characteristics that are more in line with your gender identity. For trans women and transfeminine individuals, estrogen therapy encourages feminine changes like softer skin and breast growth. For trans men and transmasculine people, testosterone therapy helps with masculine changes, such as a deeper voice and facial hair growth.

What is Hormone Therapy?

Think of hormones as tiny messengers in your body that help guide its development. Hormone therapy, also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), is a medical treatment that helps your body develop physical characteristics that are more in line with your gender identity. This is a safe and well-established medical practice, guided by caring doctors who are here to support you.

The journey is different for everyone, and that’s what makes it so special. It’s all about what feels right for you.

Feminizing Hormone Therapy

For our transfeminine and trans women family members, this therapy helps to develop more feminine characteristics. It usually involves two types of medication:

  • Estrogen: This is the primary hormone that encourages feminine changes. It can be taken as a pill, a patch on your skin, or an injection.
  • Anti-androgens (or “Blockers”): These medications help to lower the effects of testosterone in your body.

 

Some of the beautiful changes you might experience include:

  • Softer skin
  • Breast growth
  • Changes in where your body stores fat, often leading to fuller hips
  • Less body and facial hair
  • A potential shift in your emotions

 

Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

For our transmasculine and trans men family members, this therapy helps to develop more masculine characteristics. The primary hormone used is:

  • Testosterone: This hormone encourages masculine changes and is usually given as an injection or a gel you apply to your skin.

Some of the powerful changes you might experience include:

  • A deeper voice
  • Growth of facial and body hair
  • Changes in where your body stores fat, leading to a more masculine shape
  • Your monthly period will stop
  • Increased muscle mass and strength

It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is unique, and these changes happen at their own pace. This is your journey, and it will unfold in its own perfect time.

Your First Steps: The Consultation Process

Meeting with a doctor to talk about hormone therapy is a wonderful first step. It’s a space for you to ask questions, share your hopes, and feel supported. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. A Heart-to-Heart Chat: Your first appointment is all about you. Your doctor will want to hear your story, understand your journey, and learn about your goals. This is a safe space to be open and honest. They will also talk with you about your health history to make sure the plan is perfect for you. This is often done using an “informed consent” model, which means the focus is on making sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for yourself.
  2. Making a Plan Together: You and your doctor will work as a team to create a hormone therapy plan that feels right for you. They’ll talk with you about the different types of medication, the potential changes, and any risks involved. Your comfort and well-being are the top priorities.
  3. Support for All Ages:
  • For our younger community members (adolescents): The journey might start with puberty blockers. These are safe, reversible medications that give you more time to explore your identity without your body going through changes that don’t feel right. When you and your support system (like your family and doctors) feel you’re ready, you can then decide if you want to start hormone therapy.
  • For adults: You can start hormone therapy at any age! It’s never too late to be your true self. Your doctor will be there to guide you every step of the way.
  1. Ongoing Care and Love: Your journey doesn’t end after the first appointment. You’ll have regular check-ins with your doctor to see how you’re feeling, monitor your health, and make any adjustments to your plan. This is a partnership, and your healthcare team is here to support you for the long haul.

 

A Journey of Joy and Authenticity

Starting hormone therapy is a profound act of self-love. It’s about honoring who you are and allowing yourself to shine. Remember to be gentle with yourself, celebrate every step of the way, and surround yourself with people who love and support you.

You are beautiful, you are valid, and you deserve to feel at home in your body. This journey is yours, and it’s going to be amazing.

Gender reassignment surgery is a life-changing procedure, but it should never come at the expense of your safety. If you’re considering undergoing this procedure in Thailand, reach out to us.

https://thethaiger.com/guides/best-of/health/thailands-view-on-gender-affirmation-surgery

With warmth and support,

Chokchai S., M.D.

Chief Operating Officer

Allied Health (Thailand) Company Limited

contact us:
(+66) 06-4141-6198
[email protected]
Line OA : @325rwfwo
WhatsApp : +66 64 141 6198

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Privacy Policy

Allied Health (Thailand) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines the practices we follow to collect, use, and protect your personal information when you interact with our website or our services.

Information We Collect
When you register on our website or use our services, we may collect the following types of personal information:

Contact Information: Your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, WhatsApp, and mailing address.  
Medical Information: Your medical history, diagnosis, and treatment plan, as provided by you.
Passport Information: Your passport number, passport expiration date, and issuing country.
Travel Information: Your travel itinerary, including your arrival and departure dates, flight information, and accommodation details.
Communication Information: Records of your communications with our staff, including emails, phone calls, and chat messages.

How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:

To provide our services: We use your information to process your medical tourism bookings, coordinate your appointments, and provide you with the necessary support and assistance.  
To communicate with you: We use your contact information to communicate with you regarding your bookings, appointments, and any other relevant matters.
To improve our services: We may use your feedback and suggestions to improve our services and offerings.
To comply with legal requirements: We may be required to disclose your information to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Information Sharing
We may share your personal information with third parties, including:

Healthcare providers: We may share your medical information with the healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
Travel agents: We may share your travel information with travel agents who assist in arranging your travel arrangements.
Government authorities: We may be required to share your information with government authorities to comply with legal requirements.

Data Security
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. Please be aware that there is always a risk of unauthorized access.

Disclaimer

As a medical tourism agency, our top priority is the well-being and safety of our patients. It’s important to clarify that AlliedHealth (Thailand) Co., Ltd operates solely as a Health Care Agency and should not be mistaken for a Hospital or Healthcare to provide under any circumstances.
At AlliedHealth(Thailand) Co., Ltd., we specialize in facilitating international standard medical treatments in Thailand, customized to fit our patients’ budget, through our network of trusted partner hospitals and clinics.
Our dedicated team at AlliedHealth(Thailand) Co.,Ltd is committed to providing accurate information about the finest doctors and treatments available in Thailand, always considering the financial constraints of our patients to the best of our knowledge and belief.
By choosing to utilize our services, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Professional Responsibility : Our agency is owned and operated by qualified medical professionals who adhere to ethical standards and best practices in healthcare. However, you acknowledge that our role is primarily administrative, and while we’re not directly managing your medical treatment, we’re here to assist in any way we can.

2. Informed Consent : You’re aware that medical procedures come with inherent risks, and it’s important for you to give informed consent before proceeding with any treatment. We will facilitate communication between you and your treating physician to ensure you fully understand the risks and benefits involved.

3. Quality Assurance : We aim to collaborate with trusted healthcare providers and facilities, we’re committed to your well-being, and while we can’t promise specific outcomes regarding medical procedures, we’re here to stand by you and assist you through the process.

4. Continuity of Care :
We’re fully committed to assisting you with arranging medical appointments, travel logistics, and post-treatment care as much as we can. However, it’s important to understand that any unforeseen disruptions or complications during your medical journey are circumstances we’ll navigate alongside you.

5. Confidentiality : We deeply value the confidentiality of your personal and medical information, handling it with the highest level of respect and in strict accordance with all relevant laws and regulations. Nevertheless, it’s important to acknowledge that while we prioritize security measures, we cannot provide absolute assurances regarding information transmitted over the internet or through other channels.

6. Financial Transparency : We’re dedicated to ensuring transparency in pricing, providing you with clear information to understand the costs associated with your medical treatment. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that you’ll be responsible for handling all financial transactions and expenses throughout your medical tourism experience.

7. Indemnification : Your agreement involves protecting and standing by our agency, its owners, employees, and affiliates, shielding them from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses that may arise from your utilization of our services or involvement in medical tourism activities.

8. Jurisdiction and Governing Law : In the event of any disputes arising from or related to our services, we will abide by The Medical Council of Thailand], and the exclusive authority for resolving such matters shall lie with the courts of The Medical Council of Thailand, as stipulated by Thai law.

9. Acceptance of Terms : Your choice to engage with our agency or utilize our services indicates your acceptance of these terms and conditions. Should you find any part of these terms objectionable, we sincerely encourage you to refrain from using our services. 

Please carefully review these terms before proceeding with our medical tourism services. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us for clarification.