Transgender medicine is an emerging medical field that covers a wide range of transgender care and health issues. While physical care is readily administered for male and female patients alike, medicine related to gender identification is much more complex, requiring discretion, respect, and dignity. Dr. Turner and our expert medical staff at Turner Medical Arts are experienced in providing compassionate care for transgender patients. We’re here to provide you with the health care and support you need to live a happier and healthier life.
What Is Transgender Medicine?
Transgender medicine is an umbrella term for any treatment given to members of the transgender community. Many members of the community are sensitive about discrimination and stigma, so often the delivery of transgender medicine is about acceptance and accommodation. This originates from the nature of transgenderism itself. While there are categories such as trans women (male to female) and trans men (female to male), each of these also breaks down with almost infinite variety. For example, a trans man may continue to need gynecological care, depending on where he chooses to be in terms of biology. Someone who identifies as a trans man may retain all, some or none of his female reproductive organs.
Transgender Medicine Use
The emergence of transgender medicine effectively changes the scope of health care, as physicians must not only be sympathetic to a patient’s identification, but also to their state of transition and their desired goals. A physician’s accommodation of the patient can have a significant impact on treatments because, for example, the hormonal balances within transgender patients may be much more complex than in biological men and women. Much of transgender medicine is thus focused on hormonal balance and getting people to their desired state.
Hormone Therapy for Transgender Patients
Estrogen, the main female sex hormone, and testosterone, its primary male counterpart, exist naturally in both genders but in opposite proportions. A woman has much more estrogen than testosterone, while the reverse is true for a man. Hormone therapy involves the administration of sex hormones to alter the natural relationship. Estrogen feminizes the body, while testosterone makes the body more masculine. There’s no “right” formula of hormones, there are only formulas that you feel comfortable with.
Transgender Medicine Providers in Santa Barbara, California
If you are a transgender individual in search of hormone therapy, we’re here to help. At Turner Medical Arts, we’re proud to offer transgender medicine to those who need it. If you’re interested in attaining renewed hormonal balance, request an appointment by calling (805) 962-1957 or filling out the form below. We look forward to serving you.
