A Transition Pack is a personalised document designed to help you understand and manage your gender-affirming healthcare. It brings together key information about your goals, your treatment plan, and the clinical reasoning behind the care you’re receiving.
Here, we break down the sections in a Transition Pack and explains what each part means for you. This is to help you understand what's in your Transition Pack, and help you speak to your doctor about this with confidence.
Recommendations
This section summarises the most important aspects of your current care plan. It usually includes:
1.1 Personal Information
A brief overview of your basic details and your transition goals.
This may describe the general direction of your transition (e.g., feminising, masculinising) and the pace you prefer.
1.2 Medical History
A concise summary of your relevant health background. This is helpful for making sure your doctor doesn't prescribe something that would be inappropriate, e.g. Sustanon if you have a nut allergy.
1.3 Recent Blood Test Results
A snapshot of your most recent blood results.
These help guide hormone dosing and monitoring to ensure levels are safe and effective.
1.4 Current Medication Recommendations
An outline of any medications currently suggested for your care, grouped by type (e.g., primary hormones, blockers, supportive medications).
This section also lists when your next review is expected.
1.5 Goals
A description of the overall objectives of hormone therapy.
1.6 Next Steps & Monitoring Plan
Information about upcoming blood tests, follow-up appointments, and instructions on how to keep your Transition Pack updated.
Transition Pack Purpose
This part explains why the document exists and how it is used by both you and your clinical team. It highlights:
The role of the Transition Pack in supporting evidence-based, high-quality gender-affirming care.
The importance of seamless access to treatment.
The fact that gender incongruence is recognised as a health-related identity experience, not a mental disorder.
Background
A general overview of gender-affirming healthcare, including:
The purpose of hormone therapy.
The types of medications often used for feminising, masculinising, or puberty-suppressing care.
How these treatments fit into broader transition goals and overall wellbeing.
This section emphasises that gender-affirming care is a standard, internationally supported medical practice.
Licensed and Off-Label Use of Medications
This part explains how hormone therapies are regulated:
Licensed indications describe what medications are officially approved for in the general population.
Off-label indications explain how some medications are commonly and safely used in gender-affirming care, even if not licensed specifically for transgender healthcare.
It also outlines how clinicians make safe, evidence-based decisions when prescribing.
Locally Agreed Indications
This section explains how local healthcare systems, clinics, or providers may have additional protocols or shared-care agreements that support prescribing gender-affirming medications.
It clarifies that clinicians should work within guidance, good medical practice, and collaborative care frameworks to ensure continuity.
Initiation and Ongoing Dose Regime
Here, you’ll find information about:
The types of medications that may be used in gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Typical starting approaches, dose adjustments, and monitoring needs.
The importance of individualised care based on your goals and lab results.
This section focuses on how your regimen is tailored, rather than listing exact doses.
Monitoring Requirements
This describes what tests are recommended and why.
It usually covers:
How often blood tests should be performed.
Which hormone levels and other markers are monitored.
What additional tests may be needed depending on the medications used.
How to report concerns or side effects.
The purpose is to keep treatment safe and effective over time and for your doctor to understand and contribute to this.
Pharmaceutical Aspects
This part explains the practical side of your medications, such as:
Different forms they may come in (tablets, gels, patches, injections).
How they are typically administered.
Safety information, such as avoiding skin-to-skin transfer of gels or proper patch use.
Storage guidance and when to seek advice before making changes.
Cautions and Contraindications
A general overview of conditions or factors that may influence treatment decisions.
This section helps you understand:
Which medical issues might require extra monitoring.
Why certain medications may not be suitable for everyone.
How risks are managed by keeping hormone levels within healthy ranges.
It reinforces the importance of keeping your medical history updated.
Drug Interactions
A summary of how hormone therapy fits alongside other medications you may take.
This section explains:
Which medicines require particular caution.
How interactions are managed in standard clinical practice.
When you should ask for advice about new prescriptions.
Screening
A guide to recommended screening based on your anatomy, hormone exposure, and age.
This may include:
Breast or chest screening
Cervical screening
Prostate health checks
Bone density scans
General preventive health screenings
The focus is on ensuring you receive the appropriate tests for your body and health needs.
Further Reading and Resources
Links to reputable national and international guidelines, such as:
Professional standards for trans healthcare
Hormone therapy guidance
Information about gender incongruence
Local or national health services
This section empowers you to learn more about your care and the science behind it.
Glossary of Terms
A patient-friendly list of key words and concepts, including:
Common terminology used in gender-affirming healthcare
Definitions of hormone-related terms
Descriptions of types of transition (social, medical, legal)
Explanations of how the Transition Pack and digital platforms support your care
This makes the document easier to navigate and understand—even if you're new to the subject.