Trans Health Services
Through collaboration with community partners and our clients, we strive to provide services that are trans-positive and informed by trans people.
Our Trans Health Program is currently accepting new clients! All services are offered on a self-determined, sliding fee scale, and clients with in-network insurance are also able to use their insurance plans.
Our hormone therapy services are available to individuals who are age 18 or older. For younger people, we recommend Lurie Children's Gender Development Program.
For any additional questions, call our front desk Monday through Thursday, from 9am to 4pm: (773) 935-6126.
About the Trans Health Program at CWHC
At CWHC, we use an informed-consent approach for all of our Trans Health services.
We offer longer appointments to allow time for our collaborative approach to care, an emphasis on preventive care and self-care, and health education. We offer a more comprehensive approach to care, offering information about and referrals for alternative care, if needed. We are committed to working with all of our clients to provide care that respects individuals' relationships with their bodies.
Trans Health Services include:
Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, HRT) start + continuation
Gender-affirming voice coaching
Letters of support for gender-affirming care/surgeries
Injection tutorials
Trans-inclusive STI screening
Trans-inclusive gynecology services
More about our available services:
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT, HRT)
Using an informed consent approach, we offer hormone therapy to clients seeking to start or continue gender-affirming hormone therapy. We offer estrogen + testosterone GAHT, also known as feminizing + masculinizing hormone replacement therapy.
We are happy to give you more information about our informed consent model and approach to care before scheduling your appointment to ensure that we are a good fit for you.
Self-Injection Tutorials are available for all clients who are prescribed injectable hormone therapy.
If a client has a support person who assists them with injections, that client is welcome to bring the support person to the injection tutorial visit.
Voice Coaching
Voice Coaching at CWHC serves to create an access point for trans, non-binary, and gender expansive folks to both physically and psychologically adjust their vocal presentation to a way that makes them feel like them.
Learn more on our Voice Coaching page.
Integrative Health
CWHC offers alternative health care modalities including acupuncture and massage therapy. These complementary health services can help address side effects associated with hormone therapy, as well as support your general well-being and health.
Learn more on our Bodywork + Massage and Acupuncture pages.
Counseling
CWHC’s counseling program offers individual counseling, partner counseling, groups, and workshops. We also offer short-term counseling for trans individuals desiring support when initiating or considering hormone therapy as well as no-cost letters of support for gender affirming care/surgeries.
Learn more on our Counseling page.
Alternative Insemination
Our AI program is designed to provide affirming care to a diversity of LGBTQ families and single people who do not have access to sperm. We facilitate and support all stages of this process with consultation, fertility awareness education, and insemination services.
Learn more on our Alternative Insemination page.
Gynecological Services
Our gynecology program provides clients with access to sensitive cervical cancer screenings, breast/chest exams, and sexual health services (including STI screening and HIV prEP) that have been informed by trans people.
Learn more on our Gynecology page.
For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, contact CWHC at 773-935-6126. Appointments are available Monday-Thursday, from 9am-4pm.
For more information on payment procedures and the self-pay sliding scale, visit our Paying for Services page.
For more information about our online client portal and check-in process, visit our Client Resources page.
Resources
Click here for list of resources for trans, non-binary and gender expansive folks compiled by our Clinical Services team.
Planning for Gender-Affirming Surgery? Steps to Consider: a guide to the surgical process, including how insurance works and generally what to expect.
Questions to Consider Asking for Any Procedure: a guide of questions to ask along a surgical journey for transition.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about navigating any of these steps, please give us a call at (773)935-6126. We are here to support you in any way that we can.
Do you provide a TGNC affirming resource that our communities should know about? If so, please email officemanager@chicagowomenshealthcenter.org so we can learn more about you.
Feedback on Trans Health Services
We value your feedback! We value transparency with our community and invite clients and community members to offer feedback and input about our services. For more information or to offer feedback, contact Cheryl Carvalho, Interim Clinical Services Director at 773-835-6126 x227.
History of Trans Health at CWHC
In 2009, CWHC started the Trans Greater Access Project (TGAP), an agency-wide initiative focused on increasing access to affirming health services for trans-identified individuals at CWHC. We continue to invest in partnerships that ensure our providers remain informed and at the forefront of the emerging field of trans health. To learn more about TGAP, listen to Episode Four: Becoming Trans Inclusive: Steps and Missteps of CWHC’s podcast, Mirror and a Flashlight.