Hormone therapy can be an important part of daily health for some people of trans experience. Many transgender people, especially those who lack access to health insurance and/or sensitive and competent healthcare, find themselves forced to use hormones that are not prescribed for them and/or are obtained legally. This can cause serious health concerns. Transgender individuals who wish to use hormones are best advised to do so under the supervision of an LGBT-affirming medical provider who is clinically competent in transgender health issues because using hormones can put you at risk for high blood pressure, liver disease, blood clots and other serious health risks. Smoking while taking hormones greatly increases the risk of blood clots. In addition, transgender patients who use injectable hormones should follow safe injecting guidelines such as never sharing needles and/or using new or clean needles for every injection. Following these steps can not prevent the spread of communicable diseases like HIV and viral Hepatitis, but can present other health problems like injection-site infections.
To view a complete listing of all 31 Ways in 31 Days, visit www.everybodysgood.com/31Waysfor31Days.
For more information about events going on during LGBT Health Month in the Rochester area, visit www.everybodysgood.com/HealthMonth.
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