Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Tailored to You! Meet Dr. Vagic!
Ever since the well-known YouTube video by Dr. Powers, transgender folks across the US have realized just how nuanced and personalized hormone therapy is vs. the dogmatic cookie-cutter approach often seen in clinics and doctor offices.
The truth is, not everyone does well on Spironolactone, with many reporting symptoms of brain fog, depression, and anxiety. Not everyone benefits from the addition of progesterone, while many do. Most importantly, everyone’s hormone dose and route of administration are not the same, for no two people are alike.
Blood work tests tell an additional story of where you are at in your progress and how it aligns with your personal goals. Not everyone desires all of the feminizing or masculinizing results. Many seek microdosing because they want subtle changes, while others want to take things slow.
Hormone therapy is one of the first steps for many transgender and nonbinary adults, oftentimes the most crucial one, able to produce desirable physical characteristics, a state of psychological well-being, and, most importantly, decrease gender dysphoria. Many continue to take hormones throughout their lifespan, and it becomes vital to work with a physician who is knowledgeable and nuanced.
For these and many other reasons, hormone therapy should be a personalized approach. Tailored to your transition goals and how your body metabolizes and absorbs hormones, including your health history.
Today, I am still mystified and baffled that so many professionals in gender-affirming care lack this essential understanding of hormone therapy for transgender and nonbinary adults.
I was thrilled to hear Dr. Vagic, a board-certified internal medicine physician, AAHIVS HIV specialist, and a WPATH member, opened her private practice in Studio City, CA. Dr. Vagic is a breath of fresh air and a much-needed physician in transgender medicine.
Trained initially in New York City, Dr. Vagic discovered her passion for gender-affirming medicine. She has spent many years at the Los Angeles LGBT Clinic in Hollywood, overseeing and treating thousands of gender-diverse patients.
There, she quickly saw how a person-centric, personalized approach rooted in spending adequate time with the patient, assessing their needs and goals, and tailoring the specific hormone regimen worked best. A desire for a more relational, doctor-patient relationship where patients can express their needs and openly discuss their own gender-affirming care was born.
What makes Dr. Vagic different and unique in my book is her openness toward new and more advanced hormone care and her willingness to work with the patients to help them achieve their desired goals. This is especially crucial when it comes to individuals who have specific transition goals or have complicated medical histories.
Dr. Vagic also provides trans-sensitive pap tests for transmasculine and nonbinary AFAB individuals, creating a space where they can feel comfortable knowing no disclosure is necessary and no raised eyebrows follow as to why they need the exam.
In addition, Dr. Vagic has extensive experience overseeing trans women and trans-femme-identified patients post-operatively following vaginoplasty and offers exams along with minor post-op care such as granulation tissue. This is especially important for those who had the procedure with an out-of-state or out-of-country surgeon.
If you are in California and need a physician to oversee your gender-affirming medical care tailored specifically to you, I highly recommend Dr. Vagic. If you feel like you are not getting the result you desire, feel your provider doesn’t listen to your needs or are frustrated with the outdated approach to hormone therapy, consider Dr. Vagic.
Gender transition can be a challenging process, and having the right people support and oversee your care is crucial. The physician in charge of your hormone care is one of the most critical individuals on your team and has the potential to affect the trajectory of your transition. Working with the right person from the start is a game-changer and helps tremendously to the success of your future.
To learn more about Dr. Vagic practice click HERE.
