Gender-Affirming Care 

People have unique gender identity experiences and express gender identity differently. Gender-affirming care allows a person to express their true self safely. This results in better overall mental and physical health.  

Gender-affirming care includes:

• Preventive care.
• Mental health and substance use disorder screening.
• Hormone therapy and transition surgery.
• Education about gender-affirming interventions that do not require surgery or medical treatment.

A major benefit of gender-affirming care is better mental and physical health. Gender-affirming care also encourages members of the LGBTQIA+ community to receive regular health check-ups, which can improve their overall health and wellness.

Gender-affirming providers

The San Mateo County Pride Center has a list of gender-affirming providers in San Mateo County. It includes what kind of gender-affirming care providers offer and whether they have: 

• Experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community.
• LGBTQIA+ members on staff.
• Staff with LGBTQIA+ training.
• Gender-neutral restrooms.
• Gender and sexual orientation inclusive forms.
• A policy to use patients’ preferred pronouns.

Note that the San Mateo County Pride Center’s list surveys providers yearly and does not include every provider in HPSM’s network. If you don’t see your provider on this list, they may still offer gender-affirming care. Make sure you check with your provider. 

Learn more about LGBTQIA+ health