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Gender Affirming Care
Guided by its mission and values, Essentia Health provides care to everyone who entrusts us with that privilege and responsibility, including transgender persons.
Get guidance and support to be healthy and feel like you at Essentia Health. Our compassionate, trained gender affirming care professionals are knowledgeable about the health and social challenges unique to transgender patients. We're building our team, and we have services ranging from primary care, specialty care, and surgical care.
Make an Appointment
Schedule an appointment directly
with any of our gender affirming
care professionals.
What's Gender Affirming Care?
Gender affirming care is for patients whose sex assigned at birth does not align with their true gender. Sometimes, this causes anxiety, sadness, or pain—also known as gender dysphoria.
Essentia Health offers care for those who want to go through medical transition , for those who have already transitioned, and for those who don't wish to transition. It includes both general primary care as well as services that are gender affirming.
Gender affirming care may mean prescribing hormones, voice training, adult and pediatric endocrinology consultation, mental health counseling, community resources and transgender support groups. Both primary care and specialty care providers offer this type of care, and many services are conveniently offered through virtual visits. We encourage you to talk with your family medicine or pediatric provider to learn more about your care options.
Conditions Treated
See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.
Our Approach to Care
Trust our team to provide compassionate competent care that respects each unique individual. We also follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards of care, version 7.
We strive to:
- Create an environment where you can talk openly and comfortably about your sexual orientation and gender identity—whether you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, intersex, transmasculine, transfeminine, gender non-conforming, non-binary, or any other identity
- Use language, pronouns, and references that are inclusive and reflect your preferences
- Respect your values and decisions on gender, sexuality, family, and the need for privacy and confidentiality
- Develop a genuine and realistic professional relationship with you —and when appropriate, your family
- Provide informed referrals for specialty care
Hormone Therapy
If you're looking to discuss hormones, you can start the conversation here. Our gender affirming care providers who prescribe hormone therapy will work with you to create a custom plan. They understand the effects of transition and how to help patients through this life and health journey.
Potential Benefits of Hormone Therapy
Talk with your doctor about all the potential benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Some benefits may include:
- Reduced stress and improved mental health
- Improved sexual function
- Better quality of life
Mental Wellness & Hormone Therapy
Changes due to hormone treatments are usually positive. However, hormones can affect your mood and how you feel. It can help to have the support of an unbiased professional to help you process new feelings. Depend on our team to connect you with a knowledgeable therapist to help you through this life-changing process.
What to Expect During Your Visit
We want all our patients to feel understood and well cared for. You and your doctor will work together to decide on the best care plan for you. When seeking hormone therapy, the first visit will involve questions and discussion so you get the safest and best care possible. Your visit may also include lab tests. If you and your provider decide to move forward with hormone treatment, this treatment usually starts at future visits.
Does Insurance Cover Gender Affirming Care?
Some health insurance plans include coverage for hormone therapy. They may also cover other gender affirming care services. The best way to know for sure is by calling your insurance company.
Service Offered
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LGBTQ+ Care
As a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) patient, you and your family deserve health care with your needs in mind.