Patient handouts

Trans Care BC website

Direct patients and clients to our website. It’s our most comprehensive source of information on the following topics:

• Coming out and transitioning — The Explore & Transition section of website addresses aspects of gender identity and social transitions, including: binding, packing, tucking and padding, changing ID, changing speech, and hair removal.
• Hormone therapy — The Hormone Therapy section of the website provides information on accessing hormone therapy. It also covers the benefits, risks and effects of both estrogen-based therapy, testosterone-based therapy and puberty blockers.
• Surgery — The Surgery section of the website provides information on all gender-affirming surgeries covered by MSP The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a B.C. government health plan that pays for physician services and referred services that are considered medically necessary, such as specialists (surgeon, psychiatrist, etc.), diagnostic x-rays, or laboratory services, for all BC residents. Some residents qualify for premium assistance for physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, massage therapy and acupuncture. .
• How to get care — The How to Get Care section of our website helps clients who want to better understand their gender-affirming care Processes through which a health care system cares for and supports an individual while recognizing and acknowledging their gender and expression. options, seek tools to self-advocate within healthcare settings and connect with affirming resources. 
• Info for specific populations — The Information For section of our website provides information about care pathways and resources specific to certain populations, such as Indigenous people and newcomers and refugees.

Handouts

The following downloadable resources can be printed and shared with patients.

Social transition

These materials provide information about social transition Non-medical changes a person may make as part of their gender journey. This journey is different for every person. (non-medical) options:

• Binding handout — information on binding Wearing compression garments or using other methods to flatten the chest. , including health and safety tips.
• ‎Tucking handout — information on tucking Method of positioning the penis and testicles so as to conceal them. , including health and safety tips.

Parent and families

• Gender-affirming parenting guide — a handout for parents and caregivers of gender diverse Refers to gender roles and/or gender expression that do not match social and cultural expectations. children and youth.
• Resources for parents and caregivers — a handout offering some resources that exist for parents and caregivers.
• School gender support plan considerations — a handout offering things to consider when supporting children, youth and their families in school settings.
• Youth gender-affirming medical options — a handout that provides an overview of medical affirmation The ways a person can be supported in expressing their self-identified gender. This may involve supporting social transition steps or changes in gender expression. options that are available for youth and adults, and may be needed by some trans youth as they age.

En français

• Guide pour les parents sur l'affirmation de genre — A French language handout for parents and caregivers of gender diverse children and youth.

Hormone therapy

• Intramuscular injections — a guide to giving yourself intramuscular hormone injections by Trans Care BC and BC Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Services.
• Subcutaneous injections — a guide to giving yourself subcutaneous hormone injections by Trans Care BC and BC Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Services.
• Injection guide — a guide to giving yourself intramuscular or subcutaneous hormone injections by Fenway Health 
• Hormone Injection Supplies Toolkit — a toolkit intended for harm reduction sites and any organization or program interested in offering hormone injection supplies

Surgery

• Surgical pathways for gender-affirming genital surgery — information about publicly-funded genital surgery centres for B.C. residents. 
  • Surgical workbooks — workbooks to help patients plan and prepare for surgery. These workbooks include activities that patients can complete independently or with their providers, offering reflection on decisions and providing tips and information from those who have already had surgery.
    • Chest construction and reduction surgery
    • Penis construction
    • Vaginoplasty and vulvoplasty
  • Pain management for pre-surgical hair removal guide — this resource helps patients learn more about pain management options, get tips on speaking with their provider and find suggestions on what to do if they are having trouble finishing their hair removal or no longer want to continue.