Gender-Affirming Care

Vaden Health Services offers specialized services for folx exploring their gender and gender affirming care. Below you will find information on these services, how to access them, and some frequently asked questions.

Overview

Some people who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender expansive choose to go through a process of transitioning from the gender they were assigned at birth to the gender that is congruent with their identity.  

There are many physical, emotional, social, and legal challenges that transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive folx experience while in transition(s), and Stanford students are no different.  The providers at Vaden Health Center recognize both the challenges and the joys of transitioning and are here to support you.  Some people who transition choose to change their name and pronouns, so please let our providers know the name you prefer and the pronoun that is appropriate for you, and ask that they note this information in your file.

The process of transitioning involves many aspects of a person’s social, emotional, and physical life.  In terms of physically transitioning (hormones and/or surgery), there are many options. The transgender/gender expansive experience lies on a spectrum, and many individuals can choose from a variety of options to reflect a gender expression that best aligns with their identity.  Some transgender/gender expansive people decide to take hormones but don’t do surgery, while others do surgery but not hormones.  Some do both.  Some do neither.

Regardless of how one identifies their gender, the decision to physically transition lies with the individual.  It’s your decision what you want to do with your body within the time frame that is comfortable for you.  It is the doctor’s or counselor’s job to support your process and guide you along the way.