Transgender Health


Hormone Therapy


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Original source: www.lgbthealthchannel.com
Original Date of Publication: 01 Aug 2001
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Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy (HT), also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for transgender people involves taking estrogen and testosterone. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system, which is made up of glands that release chemical hormones into the bloodstream. Among other functions, hormones control sex characteristics, like breast development, facial hair, and reproductive systems. Both men and women produce these hormones, but biologically, women produce more estrogen while men produce more testosterone.

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Transgender people use hormones during the anatomical and psychological transition to another sex and gender. Hormones allow transgender people to look like the other sex and to feel comfortable; they improve their functioning and limit the potential for depression and anxiety.

Effects
The feminizing effects of estrogen and the masculinizing effects of testosterone may appear after the first couple of doses, though it may be several years before a person is satisfactorily transitioned.

Male to Female Changes
Males transitioning to females (MTF) experience the following effects of estrogen:

Temporary changes, which are reversible after HT is stopped, include the following:

Risks associated with HT include the following:

Female to Male Changes
Females transitioning to males (FTM) may experience the following permanent effects of testosterone:

Temporary changes, which are reversible after HT is stopped, include the following:

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Risks associated with FTM testosterone therapy include the following:

Tobacco increases a person's risk for disease and complications. A general medical checkup is necessary before treatment, as well as a review of patient and family health history.

Requirements for Hormone Therapy for Adults
The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association provides the following eligibility and readiness criteria for transgender adults seeking hormone therapy:

Eligibility

Readiness

Surgical Guidelines
Transgender surgery is an option for adults who are diagnosed by a mental health care provider as having gender identity disorder. In actuality, very few transgender patients undergo sexual reassignment surgery.

The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association provides the following eligibility and readiness criteria for transgender adults seeking reassignment surgery:

Eligibilty

Readiness

Adapted from Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders. 2001. The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association.

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