An Update to Our Feminising Hormone Therapy Pathway
For years, the trans community has reported experiences that the available research hasn't always been able to fully capture. That gap is starting to close. Recent research has given us new evidence to consider, and it's prompted us to review and evolve elements of our UK practice accordingly.
As the only CQC Outstanding registered provider of hormone therapy to the trans community aged 16+, we've always prioritised evidence-based care. Today, we're announcing an update to our feminising gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) pathway for UK-based patients - a decision grounded in a rigorous review of emerging research and our ongoing commitment to offering safe, considered treatment options.
Why we’re reviewing our approach
New research presented at a recent international conference has, for the first time, used objective measurement methods to explore treatment experiences that many trans feminine individuals have long reported anecdotally. Earlier research in this area had returned mixed or inconclusive findings, in part due to smaller studies and measurement limitations. This more recent work represents a meaningful step forward in the evidence base.
It's also important to understand why older safety data doesn't necessarily transfer directly to this context. Much of the historical caution in this area stems from research conducted decades ago in a very different population - postmenopausal cisgender women - whose hormone history, tissue development and treatment context differ substantially from those of trans women. Applying that older research directly to a different population isn't necessarily appropriate, which is part of why population-specific research matters, and why we've waited for it before reviewing our approach.
Setting realistic expectations
Evidence-based care means being transparent about both what's promising and what's still uncertain. As with any treatment option, individual experiences vary, and any change to a patient's regime comes with things to weigh up and discuss individually with their clinical team - including potential side effects and how they might be managed.
It's also worth noting that this update reflects a specific patient context: eligibility considerations apply, informed by the research on which this review was based, and every patient's individual circumstances are assessed carefully by their clinician before any change to their treatment is considered.
Our approach: Expertise, Rigour and Safety
This review was carried out by our research team, and any changes arising from it will be implemented with the same scrutiny patients expect from us - individualised assessment, clear discussion of what's known and not yet known, and ongoing monitoring built into every patient's care plan.
Our CQC Outstanding rating reflects our commitment to the highest standards of care, safety, and patient outcomes. This update represents the evolution of that commitment: we move when the evidence moves, always prioritising the wellbeing of our patients and their informed choice.
What This Means for Patients
If you're an existing patient on our feminising hormone therapy pathway and you'd like to understand whether this update to our approach is relevant to you, we'd encourage you to raise it at your next appointment. Your clinician can talk you through the latest thinking, what it might mean for your care, and whether it's an appropriate direction to explore together.
As with all aspects of gender-affirming care, individualised assessment and ongoing monitoring remain paramount - this update doesn't change that principle.
Get in Touch
If you're an existing patient and would like to discuss your treatment pathway, please get in touch to arrange a consultation with your clinical team.
This article is intended to provide general information about our clinical approach and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Any decisions about treatment are made on a case-by-case basis following consultation with a qualified clinician.
