Summary: In recent years, the topic of transgender healthcare has been an important conversation among healthcare providers. In this article, we will focus on how pharmacists can play a role in providing care for those seeking quality care for hormone health and wellness-related issues.
Pharmacists, especially compounding pharmacists, have a unique opportunity to provide essential healthcare needs with understanding and compassion for their patients in the transgender (TG) community. Pharmacists are a critical part of the transgender care team. They help ensure that patients have access to the hormones they need and are taking the proper doses for their individual needs.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy — also called bHRT— is used for symptoms associated with menopause as well as for low testosterone. However, this is not its only benefit.
As part of the transition process, many patients may seek out hormone therapy options, which may include testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, and progesterone. Bioidentical hormone therapy can be a valuable therapeutic option for the TG patient population because these hormones have the same chemical and molecular structure as those naturally produced in the human body.
Approximately half of TG patients receive cross-sex hormone therapy, although a majority of them (78%) desire hormonal pharmacotherapy. There are commercially available hormones, but they are not currently FDA-approved for TG patients, and their use in this manner is considered to be “off-label.”
A benefit of compounded hormones is that they are especially customizable and tailor-made to match each patient. Also, they are available in a variety of dosage forms, including creams, capsules, patches, injectables, vaginal suppositories, and troches, also known as sublingual lozenges.
Because reaching maximal effects with transgender hormone therapy can take up to five years, it is crucial the patient has access to uninterrupted care.
Click here to see what you can do to protect patient access to compounded hormone therapies.
Whether you’re looking for hormone therapy options or compounded medications, our pharmacists can help your physician tailor medication specifically to your needs. Whether you’re currently receiving hormonal treatment or considering it in the future, be sure to talk with our pharmacist about how best to meet your unique health goals.
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Medical Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of such information or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Innovation Compounding, Inc. nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any medication, nutritional supplement, diet, or health regimen. Innovation Compounding does not make or intend to make any claims to efficacy or safety of compounded products for specific conditions or disease states, as compounded products are not FDA-approved for these conditions.
