Finding a trans-informed medical provider is important. Transgender individuals face a unique range of issues and health disparities, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing quality, trans-informed services to the community. Being trans-informed includes educating our office staff about transgender issues and etiquette in order to provide a professional medical environment. Providers are respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences. When you call or message us, you will be directed to our confidential, trans-friendly staff who understands the needs of the transgender community.
We have been dedicated to providing caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services for 50 years. Today, we will continue to deliver these important services to you and our communities. Regardless of the changes in the political climate, our LGBTQ patients will receive the same lifesaving, affirming care they have come to expect from us, and we will continue to support and advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Visit the Transgender Health Services website for more information.
*When scheduling your appointment, please let our staff know if your appointment is related to HIV care.
For more information, call (619) 876-4462, email our staff or schedule a telehealth appointment.
Available Services:
- Accessing health & social services
- Case management
- Informed consent model
- Monitored hormone therapy
- Support for those at-risk for HIV & STDs
- Support for transition-related issues
- Transgender Patient Advocate Program
Services Offered At:
— Program
Learn More About:
Access to Services
+
First Visit
+Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment in order to discuss your insurance information.
- If you have insurance, please bring all insurance information with you.
- If you do not have insurance, we can schedule an appointment for you to visit our care coordinator, who can assist with insurance enrollment (Medi-Cal).
You will need to fill out:
- Registration Form
- Medical History Form
- Advance Directive
- Privacy Act Form
Your visit with the medical provider may include any or all of the following:
- Consultation
- Discussion of existing health conditions (if any)
- HIV testing and/or STD/STI screening
- Possible baseline lab work
- Discussion of your five-year plan
Frequently Asked Questions
+For additional questions, visit our Transgender Health Services FAQs page.
Informed Consent Model
+Informed consent asks you to consider the expected benefits and the possible side effects of hormone therapy, so that you can decide with your medical provider, if hormone therapy is right for you. When you sign the Informed Consent Form, you will be stating that you have discussed the risks and benefits with your medical provider or a member of the medical team and that you understand how these benefits and risks apply to you personally. FHCSD does not require psychological counseling, social evaluation or documented RLE/RLT to receive hormone treatment.
Monitored Hormone Therapy
+Monitored Hormone Therapy (MHT) may help you feel more at ease with yourself, both physically and psychologically. MHT causes physical changes, such as breast development for those on estrogen or facial hair growth for those on testosterone, which may increase your comfort with your gender presentation. MHT is often the first medical treatment people seek when they start to transition, and it may be the only medical treatment you feel you need during your transition.
To maintain the changes caused by MHT, you will need to take hormones for the rest of your life. Because it is a medical treatment, you will need to see your medical provider regularly to ensure your body is responding to the hormones in an appropriate and healthy way. Although there are many benefits to MHT, there is potential for serious side effects, so it is important to communicate any changes or irregularities to your provider so they can identify any problems early on.
Local Resources
+Visit these sites for more local resources:
SOGI Questions
+Family Health Centers of San Diego asks all our patients to answer questions about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) on our registration forms. This information helps us to provide you the best possible care.
For more information about SOGI questions, click here.
Transgender Patient Advocate Program
+The Transgender Patient Advocate Program is part of our program for LGBTQ health to provide advocacy and support for trans, gender non-conforming and genderqueer patients at FHCSD.
Transgender patient advocates assist patients in finding appropriate providers, making appointments and ensuring optimal patient care for transgender individuals in our clinics. All individuals, including those of non-conforming gender identities, are welcomed into this program.
