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| HBIGDA STANDARDS OF CARE - 1998 (version 5) |
SECTIONS |
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VIII.
Requirements for Hormone Therapy for Adults
Eligibility
Criteria The administration of hormones is not to be lightly undertaken
because of their medical and social dangers. Three criteria
exist.
1. age 18
years
2.
demonstrable knowledge of what hormones medically can and cannot do and
their social benefits and risks;
3. Either
a documented real life experience should be undertaken for at least
three months prior to the administration of hormones Or
4. A
period of psychotherapy of a duration specified by the mental health
professional after the initial evaluation (usually a minimum of three
months) should be undertaken
5. Under
no circumstances should a person be provided hormones who has neither
fulfilled criteria #3 or #4.
Readiness
Criteria. Three criteria exist:
1. the
patient has had further consolidation of gender identity during the
real-life experience or psychotherapy;
2. the
patient has made some progress in mastering other identified problems
leading to improving or continuing stable mental health (this implies an
absence of problems such as sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis,
suicidality, for instance);
3.
hormones are likely to be taken in a responsible manner.
Can
Hormones Be Given For Those Who Do Not Initially Want Surgery or a Real
Life Experience? Yes, but after
diagnosis and psychotherapy with a qualified mental health professional
following minimal standards listed above. These cases often are deeply
controversial and require particular caution.
| Some
of the resources in this section contain differing viewpoints comprising
a variety of authors, committees, and interest groups. Additionally,
some of these materials are delivered in an advisory context, covering
legal, ethical, medical and social issues. These materials do not
necessarily represent the guidelines of TransGenderCare or
the philosophies of our staff. |
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