Transgender Care

Transgender Health Care at the Student Health Services

The University of Pittsburgh Student Health Services serves all students, including those who identify as gender-variant, gender queer, transgender and/or transsexual.   Our clinical staff works in conjunction with the individual student to address the health issues most important to the student.


We know transgender people are sometimes hesitant to access health care, so we work hard to create and maintain a space where students can ask questions, get answers, and feel supported when making decisions.   We don’t use any official “standard of care.”   Instead, we regard students as individuals and coordinate care with students individually and with the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center, or other local mental health care providers to help students navigate the specific medical and mental health needs, concerns, and risks.   We’re not here to judge:  We’re here to help.
 

Initiating and Managing Hormonal Therapy

Transgender students interested in cross gender therapy are welcome to come and consult with us.   We will work with the student to develop the best treatment plan for them in collaboration with their mental health care provider.   We provide services related to initiation of cross gender hormonal therapy and provide ongoing care and follow-up after the initiation and initial adjustment of hormones.   We can also provide referrals for mental health and other transgender related services such as vocal training, electrolysis, surgery, etc.


Hormone therapy (e.g. testosterone or estrogen/progestin) as well as spironolactone and other anti-androgen therapy consultation, prescription, and maintenance can be provided by a physician at the Student Health Services who completed specialty training in this field.   The Student Health Services can provide these hormones and other therapies in several ways.   Student Health Services clinicians can prescribe and monitor cross gender therapies ordered through the Student Health Services pharmacy or brought by students from their coordinating physician/pharmacy.   Our nursing staff is skilled at teaching patients to self-administer intramuscular or subcutaneous hormonal therapies, if education is desired/needed.


Call the Student Health Services at 412-383-1800 to schedule an appointment to inquire about our hormonal therapy service for transgender care.
 

Primary Care

The University of Pittsburgh Student Health Services provides primary care as well as reproductive and sexual health care tailored to fit an individual student’s specific needs.   The clinical staff of the Student Health Services takes into account biologic sex, any anatomic variations particularly following surgery, and specific sexual practices.
 

For more information on transgender resources, health, and standards of care: