Treatment information and consent

Hormone Therapy Information and Consent

Information patients review before beginning clinician-authorized testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, or related hormone treatment.

Purpose and clinical decision

Hormone therapy is considered only after an appropriate clinical evaluation, symptom review, medication and fertility review, and laboratory assessment when indicated. The clinician will discuss the specific hormone, route, expected benefit, material risks, and alternatives before prescribing.

Important limitations

• Hormone treatment is not guaranteed to improve energy, mood, sexual function, body composition, sleep, cognition, or performance.
• Some uses, doses, combinations, or compounded formulations may not be FDA-approved for the proposed indication.
• Hormone therapy may suppress natural hormone production and may affect fertility; it is not a substitute for evaluation of other causes of symptoms.

Potential risks

• Product-specific risks may include acne, hair changes, breast or uterine effects, fluid retention, mood or sleep changes, blood-pressure changes, or sexual and fertility effects.
• Testosterone may increase red blood cell concentration and can affect fertility, prostate-related monitoring, lipids, or sleep apnea. Estrogen- and progestogen-related risks vary by formulation, route, dose, and individual history.
• Blood clot, cardiovascular, liver, gallbladder, cancer-related, allergic, or other serious risks may apply depending on the prescribed hormone and patient history.

Your responsibilities and monitoring

• Complete baseline and follow-up testing requested by the clinician
• Do not change dose, route, or source without clinical review
• Report fertility goals, pregnancy, bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, neurologic symptoms, or other urgent concerns immediately

Alternatives to discuss

• No hormone treatment
• Evaluation and treatment of another identified cause
• Lifestyle, sleep, mental-health, sexual-health, or fertility-focused care
• Nonhormonal or FDA-approved alternatives when appropriate

No guarantee

Payment, membership, questionnaire completion, or treatment selection does not guarantee approval or a prescription. Treatment may be declined, changed, paused, or discontinued when the clinician determines that another course is safer or more appropriate.

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Last reviewed August 16, 2026.