Gender Health Australia

24/09/2026

New research brings clarity to an important question: how do puberty blockers and gender‑affirming hormones affect bone development in trans adolescents? 🤔

The latest systematic review shows a clear pattern bone‑density scores dip during puberty suppression, then increase once gender‑affirming hormones begin.

Importantly, current evidence does not show clinically significant skeletal impairment.

Bone health is influenced by many factors, including nutrition, vitamin D and physical activity. Longer‑term research is still needed, but this study provides reassuring evidence for families and young people accessing gender‑affirming care.

Read the full article here at genderhealth.com.au/blog/bones-puberty-blockers-hormones

And to read the full research paper here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2852527

10/09/2026

Say hello Ezarco Dos Santos (he/him) 👋🏽 As one of Gender Health Australia's Peer Navigators & Community Engagement Manager, Ezarco supports clients with lived experience, helping connect people to medical pathways for GAC, mental health support, and community connections. With over a decade of experience working in grassroots organisations and championing Trans & Gender Diverse voices through .radio Ezarco beings warmth, positivity, and a genuine passion for community in every interaction.

03/09/2026

Happy Spring from GHA 🌸🌻🪻🏵🌷

27/08/2026

Wear It Purple Day at GHA 💜

At Gender Health Australia, we don’t just wear purple once a year, we wear purple every day. Because every day we stand with LGBTQ+ young people, celebrate their brilliance, and fight for a world where they can thrive safely and proudly.

This year’s theme, Colours of Courage, reminds us that courage isn’t only found in big moments, it’s in the everyday choices to live proudly, support others, and invite people into understanding and celebration.

Our team shows up in purple today to honour the movement, but our commitment to creating affirming, accessible, gender‑diverse healthcare is growing in our garden all year round 🌸

To every young person in our community - you deserve to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. We’re here with you💜

27/08/2026

Welcome Kristy Apps (she/they) 😊👋 Mental Health Social Worker & Counsellor with more than 15 years' experience supporting LGBTQIA+ communities. Kristy brings a gender-affirming, culturally informed, and a collaborative holistic approach.

"As a mental health social worker, I bring a systemic lens to my counselling practice, recognising how social structures and discrimination shape people's experiences. My approach is collaborative and gender-affirming, supporting people in ways that feel right for them to improve their mental health, social, and emotional wellbeing."

Kristy is a member of ANZICA and FSANZ and provides counselling as well as fertility/reproductive and pregnancy counselling at GHA. Kristy offers Medicare rebates for people with a mental health care plan, or pregnancy counselling with a GP referral.

14/08/2026

Welcoming Dr Andy Stamatiou to GHA

Gender Health Australia is delighted to welcome Dr Andy Stamatiou from Rainbow Fertility to our team. Dr Stamatiou brings more than 30 years of experience in IVF, fertility care and gynaecology, and is deeply committed to supporting LGBTQ+ people in building the families they dream of. As he says, “Families come in all shapes, sizes, combinations and varieties… I love helping those who wish to experience the joys of parenthood.”

His practice includes fertility treatment, pregnancy and delivery care, high‑risk pregnancy management, and the treatment of menstrual, menopausal and pelvic health conditions. Telehealth appointments are available for community members across Australia.

Dr Stamatiou has appointments available for GHA clients as soon as Friday, August 21st.

06/08/2026

Fertility Preservation & Testosterone: What We’re Learning 🤓

For years, it was assumed that testosterone damaged ova and that anyone with a uterus wanting biological children would need to stop testosterone before retrieving eggs. Many guidelines still recommend freezing eggs before starting masculinising hormones.

A new systematic review brings together all published evidence and the results challenge those old assumptions.

Researchers found that egg retrieval after long‑term testosterone use can be highly successful. Stopping testosterone did not reduce the number of eggs retrieved, and in one study trans men retrieved the same number of eggs as cis women undergoing fertility preservation.

Importantly, several studies also reported successful egg retrieval without stopping testosterone, including during hysterectomy. This early evidence suggests that pausing testosterone may not always be necessary.

These findings are encouraging, but research is still emerging. More high‑quality studies are needed to understand how long‑term testosterone affects egg quantity and quality.

Freezing eggs before starting testosterone remains an option but new evidence shows fertility preservation may still be possible later.

If you’d like to dive deeper, you can read the full research article in the Geek Out section at genderhealth.com.au/blog

05/08/2026

Evolution Electrolysis x Gender Health Australia

Electrolysis services are now available through Evolution Electrolysis! This collaboration expands the gender‑affirming care options accessible to GHA clients, especially for those seeking permanent hair removal as part of their transition or surgical preparation.

Evolution Electrolysis has provided us with FAQ guides covering the most common questions about electrolysis, to assist with clear, informed conversations. When you are ready, you can register directly with Evolution Electrolysis to receive their full information and consent pack.

A QR code is available at the GHA reception desk for patients who prefer to register on the spot. Alternatively you can visit evolutionelectrolysis.com.au

Affirming care grows stronger when community organisations work together.



Photo: Penny (she/her) & Sera (they/any) from Evolution Electrolysis

31/07/2026

Kat is so well informed, excellent recommendations whatever age group or folks you see

Are you a practitioner that works with the LGBTQ+ community? Are you always on the lookout for books and resources to read or recommend to patients/clients/colleagues? We still have plenty of places left for our Shelf Awareness for the Pros event on Wednesday 12 August. Come along and hear about some great books and meet like-minded colleagues. Details and bookings via our website or the link in our bio!

31/07/2026

Thank you to one of our wonderful patients for this excellent iron-on-patch 🦕💉💛🤍💜