Transgender Health
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Management
Prevention
What to Expect
Living Well
Transgender and gender-diverse people face unique health considerations shaped by biology, gender identity, and systemic barriers to care.
Whether you’re beginning gender-affirming treatment, have been on hormone therapy for years, or are supporting a loved one, understanding how these factors affect cardiovascular and overall health is essential.
This guide offers evidence-based information about hormone therapy, preventive care, and mental wellness — while also addressing the importance of advocacy and finding affirming healthcare professionals.
You deserve care that treats you as a whole person, not a set of lab results. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to navigate that care safely and fully.
Transgender health extends beyond transition-related care. It includes every aspect of wellness — physical, emotional, and social — through a lens of inclusion and respect.
Key priorities in transgender health include:
Access to gender-affirming care and knowledgeable providers
Monitoring for cardiovascular and metabolic changes related to hormone therapy
Managing stress and minority stress impacts on heart and vascular health
Ensuring regular preventive screenings suited to anatomy and hormone status
Supporting mental health and community connection
Affirming care means recognizing that trans individuals may have different but equally valid health baselines, needs, and goals.
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Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy & Vascular Health
Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) can be life-saving for many people, but it also changes how the cardiovascular and vascular systems function.
Estrogen therapy (commonly used by transgender women) may slightly increase risks for:
Blood clots (venous thromboembolism)
Stroke or hypertension (especially with oral formulations)
Testosterone therapy (commonly used by transgender men) may lead to:
Higher red blood cell counts (polycythemia)
Changes in cholesterol levels
Mild increases in blood pressure
Practical recommendations:
Work closely with a provider experienced in GAHT
Discuss your personal and family history of vascular disease
Get regular blood pressure, lipid, and clotting factor checks
Report new leg swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath immediately
The goal is not to discourage hormone therapy — but to ensure safe, informed care through regular monitoring.
Preventive Care and Screening
Preventive healthcare should be personalized — based on your anatomy, hormones, and risk factors rather than assumptions about gender.
Essential screenings for transgender adults:
Blood pressure and cholesterol every 1–2 years
Blood sugar (A1C) if on hormones or at metabolic risk
Cancer screenings relevant to current anatomy (breast/chest, prostate, cervix)
Bone density if on long-term hormone therapy
Regular STI testing and sexual health check-ins
Finding affirming care matters. Seek providers or clinics that:
Use correct names and pronouns
Offer gender-neutral intake forms
Have experience with transgender patients or partnerships with LGBTQ+ health centers
Proactive, respectful care prevents complications and builds trust.
Mental Health and Minority Stress
Living authentically can bring freedom and relief — but transgender individuals also face high levels of social stress, discrimination, and healthcare inequity. Chronic stress contributes to hypertension, vascular inflammation, and mental health challenges.
Strategies to support emotional and vascular wellness:
Connect with trans-affirming therapists or support groups
Practice daily stress-reduction (mindfulness, art, gentle movement)
Build a supportive circle of friends, allies, or online communities
Advocate for yourself in healthcare spaces — you deserve respect and clarity
Taking care of mental health supports every system in your body, especially your heart.
Long-Term Care and Health Coordination
Long-term transgender health requires coordinated, ongoing care across specialties. From endocrinology to primary care to cardiology, collaboration ensures safe hormone management and early detection of health changes.
How to build your care team:
Establish a primary care provider who understands transgender health or works with an LGBTQ+ clinic
Keep all specialists informed about your hormone therapy and medications
Review labs and blood work at least annually — more often during therapy adjustments
Maintain copies of your own health records for portability between providers
Health maintenance checklist:
Annual physical exams
Cardiometabolic monitoring (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar)
Medication review and risk assessment
Emotional and mental health check-ins
Continuity of care protects your long-term wellness and ensures that all aspects of your identity and health are supported equally.
Advocacy, Rights, and Access
Transgender people often face obstacles to consistent care — from insurance denials to provider bias. Understanding your rights helps you advocate for the care you deserve.
Know your protections:
Under U.S. law (Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act), healthcare discrimination based on gender identity is prohibited.
Many states and insurers are expanding coverage for gender-affirming care and hormone therapy.
Patient advocacy organizations can help navigate appeals and provider referrals.
Advocacy organizations include:
Empowerment through knowledge is an act of care.
Community and Support
Healing and health happen in community. Transgender and gender-diverse people thrive when connected to affirming networks that provide emotional support, education, and shared experience.
Ways to stay connected:
Join peer-led community groups or virtual networks
Attend local LGBTQ+ health events or wellness workshops
Volunteer or mentor within the community
Share your story to inspire others on similar journeys
Connection builds resilience — the foundation of long-term health.
Find Affirming Care and Support
Explore resources, clinics, and community programs dedicated to transgender and gender-diverse health. Knowledge and affirming care can transform outcomes — and lives.
References
Deutsch MB et al. (2023). UCSF Guidelines for the Primary and Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender-Nonbinary People. UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health.
WPATH (2022). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People, Version 8. Int J Transgend Health, 23 (S1): S1–S259.
American Heart Association (2023). Cardiovascular Health in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals. Circulation.
GLMA (2023). Best Practices for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Healthcare.