“Endocrine therapy is used to change the body’s physical characteristics to reduce gender dysphoria or incongruence. Feminizing endocrine treatment involves the use of ovarian hormones or anti-androgen drugs; however, venous thromboembolism or meningioma can be associated risks. Masculinizing endocrine treatment involves testosterone supplementation, but lower high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, increased triglycerides, and risk of polycythemia may occur. In youth, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy can be used as a reversible means of suppressing unwanted puberty and preventing irreversible body changes.
Physicians can provide treatment that achieves a patient’s goals and minimizes the risk of causing harm by conducting an initial assessment, prescribing medications based on individual factors, and providing follow-up treatment monitoring. Physicians who treat youth must be trained in childhood and adolescent developmental psychopathology. They must also be able to diagnose gender dysphoria or incongruence, establish the youth’s capacity to make decisions regarding their medical care and to understand the relatively irreversible changes in physical characteristics and reproductive capacity that will occur, and ensure that the youth has parental or other adult support and will be able to transition safely in their home setting. Counseling may be required for youth who suffer from anxiety, depression, or suicidality.”
More on Endocrine Treatment of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People via BC Medical Journal
UBC Family Practice Residency Program: Abbotsford-Mission Site 