Planned Parenthood Offering Transgender Hormone Therapy In Nassau

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is now offering transgender hormone therapy (THT) services to patients in Nassau County at its Hempstead location. The service will be available at Planned Parenthood's two other Nassau County locations when they reopen after the pandemic.

Transgender hormone therapy, which includes prescriptions for testosterone, estrogen and testosterone blockers, helps affirm a patient's gender identity, decreases gender dysphoria and enhances a patient's quality of life, Planned Parenthood said.

A recent study found that the coronavirus pandemic has created several barriers to health care for the transgender and non-binary community, including the risk of exposure to the virus, delays in access to gender-affirming care and limited access to social support, which is crucial to protecting against the effects of stigma and discrimination. Discrimination from health care providers also makes it difficult for transgender people, especially transgender people of color, to access quality health care. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York said it provides transgender health care in an inclusive environment that acknowledges the full spectrum of gender identities and addresses the systemic barriers that transgender patients already experience.

“Transgender and nonbinary people deserve access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services so that they can control their bodies, lives, and futures," said Sheila Whitaker, the vice president of health center operations for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. "Too often, transgender people, especially transgender people of color, face unnecessary barriers to health care caused by transphobia and oppressive policies aimed at erasing their identities. It is our mission at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York to improve health outcomes for all the communities we serve. By offering transgender hormone therapy in Nassau County, we’re helping build a more equitable society where everyone can thrive.”

Transgender hormone therapies are currently being offered only at the Planned Parenthood facility in Hempstead, located at 540 Fulton Ave. Planned Parenthood consolidated its Nassau County operations to that location during the pandemic. When the pandemic ends, Planned Parenthood will reopen its facilities in Massapequa and Glen Cove, and they will also offer the therapy.

Transgender hormone therapy can be an integral part of transitioning for many transgender people. Transitioning, or a gender transition, is a process some people go through to live as the gender with which they identify, rather than the sex assigned to them at birth. Transitioning can involve medical treatment and hormones, surgical procedures, changing names and pronouns, altering appearance and dress, or coming out to friends and family. Not all transgender people go through all, or any, of these stages of transition.

Planned Parenthood offers transgender hormone therapy to patients 18 and older. Financial counselors can work with patients to determine how to pay for hormone therapy, whether they have insurance or not. Planned Parenthood provides care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Patients can book an in-person or telehealth appointment online at by clicking here, or by phone at 1-800-230-PLAN.