The cost of hormone replacement therapy is a genuine concern for many transgender women. While most insurance companies will cover the cost of hormone replacement therapy, for patients without insurance accessing hormone replacement therapy can be more costly. How much does MTF HRT cost without insurance?
Understanding The Benefits Of HRT
Firstly, let’s look at why many MTF transgender people consider HRT a necessity for their care. Depending on the age of transition and the patient’s goals, HRT can help promote some moderate breast growth as well as redistribute fat into more feminine areas such as the hips and buttocks. This can limit the need for gender affirming surgery.
However, many transgender women benefit from HRT before transgender breast augmentation because it helps create a small amount of extra coverage and tissue that can adequately disguise the implant. The breast development HRT promotes can also help begin to stretch the skin which can provide a more natural looking result, give the patient more implant options, and support a less painful recovery.
Therefore, beyond the basic benefits of HRT for transgender women such as reducing facial and body hair growth, HRT serves practical purposes for procedures in the future. Not all patients choose to undergo a transgender breast augmentation, but HRT treatment allows the patient to make that decision based on the natural breast growth they see.
The Cost Of MTF Hormone Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy can range in cost from $100 to $300 per month for the oral pill. However, patients should note that there are multiple options for hormone therapies and some may be less costly without insurance. Therefore, explore options with the medical professional managing your hormone therapy to find the option that best suits you and your budget.
Most patients opt for the oral pill because insurance will usually cover this form of hormone replacement therapy and it is usually the cheapest out-of-pocket as well. However, based on various factors including where you are located, dosage needs, goals for transition, etc.
Conclusion
Dr. Sajan does not routinely prescribe hormone replacement therapy. However, he has worked with countless MTF patients taking hormones. He understands the intricacies of managing the health of patients interested in gender affirming surgery such as transgender breast augmentation with HRT. Choosing to begin HRT is a personal decision and one that not all MTF patients find necessary.
For patients interested in feminization surgeries, Dr. Sajan will discuss protocols for temporarily stopping hormones in most cases. This increases safety for surgery but is not always strictly necessary in all cases. But, patients should be prepared to temporarily cease HRT in the weeks leading up to and directly after surgery. Generally, patients alter their HRT regimen for four to six weeks total.
Dr. Javad Sajan is one of the foremost leaders in feminization surgeries in the United States. Patients interested in transgender breast augmentation, facial feminization, or another MTF feminization surgery can schedule a consultation with Dr. Sajan via phone at 206-990-0060. Patients can also reach out online via chat or contact form.
