The straightforward answer is 18.
In India, individuals must be at least 18 years old to initiate Hormone Replacement Therapy. The guidelines dictate that starting HRT prior to the age of 18 is not permitted. Dr. Kalra elaborates on this by stating, “HRT can only be started after the age of 18 in India.”
In India, starting gender-affirming therapy prior to the age of 18 is not possible due to established guidelines. The only intervention available before 18 years of age is the use of puberty blockers to prevent the development of physical characteristics of the birth gender. However, hormone therapy cannot be initiated until the individual reaches the age of 18. As a result, I only treat patients who are 18 years or older.
Puberty Blockers
Puberty Blockers, also referred to as puberty inhibitors, serve the purpose of delaying puberty. They work by inhibiting the production of sex hormones in the body, effectively preventing the development of female or male physical characteristics.
What are these guidelines?
In India, there are no well-defined guidelines for treating minors, which can make it challenging for endocrinologists to determine the appropriate approach to HRT for their minor patients. The most that a physician can do in this situation is prescribe puberty blockers.
Endocrinologists in India are currently working to establish guidelines for the treatment of trans youth. Until these guidelines are established and widely accepted, it may be difficult for minors who are trans to receive proper gender-affirmative care. However, once a person reaches the age of 18, they will have access to these treatments.