Doernbecher Gender Services
Doernbecher Gender Clinic locations offer a full range of services for transgender and gender-nonconforming children and teens. You’ll find:
- Puberty specialists who treat hundreds of patients a year.
- Comprehensive care that includes experts in primary care, hormone therapy and mental health.
- Family support from a psychologist, psychiatrist and social worker.
- Providers who specialize in the needs of teens.
- A safe, welcoming and gender-affirming environment.
- Research into improving treatments and outcomes.
Share your art with us
Our DGC patients are amazing artists and creators. We would love to display your art in our clinic. Send your art to DGCart@ohsu.edu or drop it off at one of our clinic sites.
Doernbecher handouts
About chest binding
Changing your name
Preserving your fertility
Safe tucking
Treatment overview
Referrals: Patients need a referral, usually from their pediatrician, to be seen at one of our Doernbecher Gender Clinic locations.
Patients we treat: Our clinic accepts new patients through age 18. Our pediatricians, pediatric endocrinologists, and psychologists specialize in providing team-based care for children and teens. We also provide treatment into young adulthood for some patients, and we help them move into adult care.
Transgender health: We work in cooperation with the OHSU Transgender Health Program and follow World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines for care.
When treatment starts: Medical treatment usually doesn’t begin until puberty. We can answer questions and discuss:
- What to expect
- How to know when puberty has started
- Future treatment options
Specialists: We recommend that your child see a specialist in treating puberty-related conditions, such as:
- A pediatric endocrinologist
- A pediatrician or other provider who specializes in the needs of teens
Our specialists, for example, can identify the start of puberty. They also understand how to pair treatments with the pace and sequence of changes.
Fertility services: Some treatments affect fertility. We work with OHSU fertility and endocrinology specialists to offer fertility-preserving options for children and teens.
Intake
- You will start by getting a referral, usually from your child’s pediatrician.
- Next, you will receive an intake call from the Transgender Health Program to gather some information and answer your questions.
- Most often, your first appointment at a Doernbecher Gender Clinic is scheduled one to three months after we receive your referral.
First appointment
What to expect: We usually do not prescribe medications during the first visit. We will:
- Get your child’s medical history and family history.
- Discuss your support network and access to mental health therapy.
- Possibly do a physical exam and blood test to assess the extent of puberty.
- Review treatment options, and their benefits and risks.
- Guide you through the consent process, which can be complex.
- Answer your questions and help you find any resources you need.
Other visits
We will monitor your child throughout treatment. Typically, we see patients every three to four months.
Other services
Primary care: We coordinate with pediatricians and family medicine providers to make sure patients get comprehensive care.
Mental health: We offer psychological and psychiatric care for patients and families.
For families
Request services
Please fill out an online form:
Other questions and concerns
Contact the OHSU Transgender Health Program at:
Locations
Parking is free for patients and their visitors.
Outreach clinics: Call Doernbecher Pediatric Endocrinology at 503-494-3273 for information about care offered in other parts of Oregon and in southwest Washington.