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Questions for your First Plume Appointment When You’re Ready to Start Gender-Affirming Testosterone

Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy From Your Phone

By: Plume Community Member

Are you excited to start gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes also called HRT or hormone replacement therapy)? Before you begin your new testosterone prescription, it is really helpful to think through your goals and preferences. This article includes some questions to consider before your visit with a Plume provider on your Care Team. This will help you get the most out of your visit.

In this article, you will find the key questions you need to ask about taking testosterone, including what questions to ask before you start. Some of these questions are questions your Care Team will ask during your first appointment. Some of them are questions you might have for us when you become a Member! All of them will help you and your Care Team understand your transition goals and how we can support you as you become your most authentic self.

Before your visit, be sure to read carefully through the materials we send. These include the informed consent form (which reviews the side effects and risks of hormones) and the hormone information (FAQs) your Care Team will send you through our secure app. As you’re preparing, you might want to write down any questions you want to ask your Care Team during your first appointment, too – it’s easy to forget them all when the visit starts!

What is testosterone for gender-affirming health care?

Testosterone is a hormone that your body produces. In some bodies, it is produced at low levels or not at all. Taking testosterone can help a person’s body to function at a higher level of testosterone – sometimes even higher than levels of T found in cisgender men’s bodies. For many trans men and transmasculine people (and some nonbinary people), taking testosterone can be part of a gender-affirming medical transition. Taking testosterone can help a person develop the body changes associated with being male, like increased facial hair growth and a lower voice. Taking testosterone by mouth, by injection, or by skin patch can also shift body fat to create a more “masculine” appearance in the body and face.

How does testosterone help your gender transition?

For many trans people, hormone therapy is an important part of the process of transitioning to the gender with which they identify. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes also called HRT or hormone replacement therapy) may help you change your body so it is more in line with your gender identity. It can also help you feel more confident about your gender. For trans men, testosterone hormone therapy may increase muscle mass, body hair growth, and the strength of your grip. 

For some types of gender-affirming surgery, such as top surgery, testosterone GAHT is recommended. Testosterone changes the texture of your chest or breast tissue, which can affect the aesthetic outcome of your top surgery. However, taking T is not required by the WPATH guidelines for gender-affirming surgery.

What do you need to start testosterone at Plume?

Starting testosterone at Plume is a simple, straightforward process. First, sign up to become a Member and make your first membership payment. Then, schedule your first appointment. This article includes some helpful resources and a checklist of things to bring to the appointment. 

It’s important to know what T does and how it can affect you. You need to sign the consent form to start testosterone. Important: Before you meet with your Care Team, be sure to read the hormone information provided through Plume’s secure app. This can help you prepare for your appointment.

What questions should you ask your Care Team before starting testosterone at Plume?

These questions are important because they let your Care Team know what you are thinking. Understanding these things about you and your experience can help Plume’s experts recommend the best treatment for you and create a customized health care plan for your unique transition goals. Questions are an important part of any medical consultation – and that’s especially true when it comes to starting a hormone therapy like testosterone. If you’re considering testosterone treatment at Plume, it’s important to take the time to ask your Care Team the right questions. This will help ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment. Here are some of the key questions you should ask your Care Team before starting testosterone at Plume.

1. What is my gender?

Gender is a complex term. Your gender is your internal sense of being male, female, or something else. For example, a person who identifies as female has a female gender, while a person who identifies as male has a male gender. People who don’t identify as either male or female may identify as nonbinary or transgender. You may also have a preferred, or desired, gender. Your gender may be the same as your assigned or assumed gender (e.g., female), or it may be different (e.g., you were assumed to be female when you were born, but you’re actually male). When you start testosterone, your Care Team will work with you to develop a plan that helps you align your gender presentation (that is, the way you show your gender identity) with your gender identity (that is, the way you feel about yourself).

2. What is my gender identity?

Your gender identity is your personal definition of what being male, female, or nonbinary means. Gender identity is different from sexual orientation: Some people with nonbinary gender identities are also LGBTQ, while others aren’t. Like all aspects of your transition, your care team will help you determine the best path towards your gender identity.

3. What is my sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation is your personal definition of who you are attracted to. Your sexual orientation may or may not be the same as your gender identity. While your sexual orientation doesn’t necessarily define your gender transition, it is helpful to share this information with your Care Team. That way, they can understand you as a whole person and offer the best health care support possible.

4. What are my chosen pronouns?

Coming out, disclosing your gender identity, or aligning your gender presentation with your gender identity can be challenging and can take time. In the meantime, many people start to use different pronouns to reflect their transition. Using the right pronouns is an important part of showing respect for your pronouns. Your Care Team will work with you to offer support. When you interact with your Care Team, we’ll always use your correct name and pronouns, even if you haven’t changed them on your legal documents.

5. What are my goals for my gender transition?

Before starting testosterone, you and your Care Team will create customized care plan that is as unique as you are. Your care plan will likely include aspects of gender-affirming hormone therapy, support for your mental health, acne treatments, and anything else that might help you during this exciting time.

Your transition may also include other goals, like having top surgery or getting a passport with your new name. Your Care Team will work with you to set realistic, achievable goals for your transition.

6. What are my concerns about starting testosterone?

When you start any new medication, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects. When you’re considering starting testosterone, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your Care Team. Your Care Team will be able to help you understand the potential side effects and risks of testosterone.

7. What are the side effects of testosterone?

All medications come with side effects, including gender-affirming hormone therapies like testosterone. The specific side effects that you experience will depend on your body and your dosage. Some common side effects of starting testosterone include increased body hair, mood changes, and changes to your body fat distribution. Some people lose some scalp hair, while other people experience breakouts. While some of these side effects may be desirable, such as a lower voice, others may not be so fun (or even uncomfortable). If any of these side effects concern you, you should discuss them with your Care Team. They can help you understand how to reduce their impact. They’ll also order regular lab work to make sure you stay healthy while you’re taking your medication.

8. What are the risks of testosterone?

All medications come with risks. The specific risks that you experience will depend on your body and your dosage. Some common risks of testosterone include an increased risk of blood clots, changes to your cholesterol,  and infertility. If any of these risks concern you, you should discuss them with your Care Team. Regular lab work will help your Care Team support you and monitor your progress, as well as keeping an eye on any risks.

9. What are the alternatives to testosterone?

Gender-affirming hormone therapy is a powerful medication for gender transition. While testosterone isn’t right for everyone, it can be both affirming and lifesaving for trans and nonbinary folks who need it.

There are many different types of hormone therapies. Plume prescribes synthetic bioidentical testosterone to encourage physical changes in your body. These changes—both dramatic and subtle—can help you to live as your authentic self by changing your gender expression to reflect your gender identity. If you are concerned about which type of testosterone will work best for you, you do have options. Injections, gel, and T patches are some ways you can take testosterone. Some people also choose to microdose, which means taking a smaller amount of T. 

If you’re wondering which type and dose of T is best for you, discuss your options with your Care Team. They can help you understand how to select the best treatment for you.

Finding the right dosage

Finding the right dosage is based on your health and medical needs, and how your body responds to testosterone. Your Care Team will advise on what dosage is best for you. They will also advise you on how often you should have your blood tested.

Some people choose to microdose, which means taking a smaller amount of T. Microdosing is effective and safe and can support people who would like to use testosterone but do not want the full expression of the medication.

Monitoring hormone levels

Testosterone levels can be checked by blood tests and/or saliva tests. Blood tests are the most accurate way to measure testosterone levels. They can be done at any time of day. Saliva tests can only be done once per day. It is your responsibility to get your labs done as directed to keep your Care Team informed of any relevant changes in your hormone levels. This helps them to adjust your dosage if needed.

Working with your Care Team to get the best results

Communication is key in any relationship, but especially when it comes to taking medications. This is especially true when it comes to taking hormones. It is very important to let your Care Team know about any changes that you notice in yourself. This includes both good changes and bad changes. Changes that may be good for you may be bad for another person. For example, you may have more energy than ever after starting hormones, but another person may feel too wired from the same dosage. Let your provider know about any changes that you notice.

Conclusion

Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone play an important role in both physical and mental health. When you have the right balance of these hormones, it can improve your quality of life and help you feel better. When people are transitioning, they may choose to take certain types of hormones to change their bodies. This is because these types of hormones have powerful effects on your body. When using gender-affirming hormone therapy, it is important to monitor your hormone levels. This is because different people respond to hormones at different rates. If your hormone levels are too high or too low, it can cause serious side effects. 

Working with your Care Team can help you get the best results from your transition and make the process as smooth and seamless as possible. Your Care Team can provide guidance and advice throughout your transition, as well as a unique care plan customized to your transition goals. With Plume, you can have the peace of mind that you are taking the best steps to safely and effectively transition to your true self. Ready to start? Click here to become a Member today.

 

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