Transgender men and women desire a permanent identity as a member of the gender with which they identify. This transition usually involves hormonal therapy and may also involve surgery.

We offer hormonal therapy for transgender individuals. People seeking transgender surgery are referred to well-established health care facilities that specialize in this procedure.

Hormonal Therapy

Transgender hormonal therapy (also called hormonal reassignment) allows development of secondary sexual characteristics that reflect the person's preferred gender identity.

Hormonal therapy for transgender people replaces the hormones naturally occurring in their bodies with those of the other sex.

  • Woman-to-man hormonal treatment (testosterone treatment) is provided to promote male characteristics, such as a male pattern of body hair, a male voice and a male physical shape. The treatment also results in stopping monthly menstruation.
  • Man-to-woman hormonal treatment is provided to inhibit male characteristics and promote feminine characteristics, such as breast formation and elimination of body hair growth.

Both male hormones (androgens) and female hormones (estrogens) are present in men and women alike, but in vastly different amounts. Giving the right amount of the right hormone is important in the life-long management of transgender hormonal therapy.

Psychological Evaluation

To obtain sex reassignment therapy, a full psychological or psychiatric evaluation by a certified professional will be performed prior to the start of hormonal therapy. This is important to ensure that the diagnosis of transgender re-assignment is not clouded by an underlying psychiatric disorder. 

A local transgender program called Pathways offers professional and supportive programs dealing with issues of gender identity. Pathways also offers psychiatric evaluations to program participants, as well as information, guidance about resources and peer group support.

Therapy Based on Guidelines

Initial care includes a physical exam and blood test to check the individual’s overall health. Hormonal therapy is geared to an individual’s goals and therapy is monitored by clinical response and blood tests. Therapies are adjusted as needed based on response. Hormones are given as oral or injected medications.

Therapy is based on care standard guidelines established by The Endocrine Society called Endocrine Treatment of Transgender Persons. The guidelines were developed by a task force of content experts and co-sponsored by the European Society of Endocrinology, European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology, Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. The guidelines address treatment of adolescents, hormonal therapy for transgender adults, long-term care and sex re-assignment surgery.

People who desire transgender hormonal therapy are encouraged to see a trained medical professional, who will prescribe the right medications and monitor your care over time. The physician carefully watches for complications as you slowly begin taking an increased level of hormones.

Physicians throughout Wisconsin refer their patients to us for transgender hormonal therapy. We share our expertise with these community physicians so they can continue local care for their patients.