Treatment FAQ

how long is transgender treatment

by Izabella Turcotte Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What are the long term hormonal treatments for transgender people?

Oct 13, 2021 · Whatever hormone therapy is used, it can take several months for hormone therapy to be effective, which can be frustrating. It’s also important to remember what it cannot change, such as your height or how wide or narrow your shoulders are.

How should hormone therapy be tailored to a trans man's transition goals?

Transgender adolescents usually have stable gender identities and can be given GnRH analogs to suppress puberty until they can proceed with hormone therapy as early as age 16. Hormone regimes for transgender men (female to men, FTM) 1. Oral Testosterone undecanoate* 160–240mg/day 2. Parenterally (i.m. or subcutaneous)

How do transgender people transition to a feminine body?

Apr 22, 2015 · Both patients and their surgeons must be certain it’s the right decision. Guidelines recommend people spend 12 months on hormone therapy before they get genital reassignment surgery (GRS). This ...

What is the best age for hormone therapy for transgender adolescents?

Nov 30, 2017 · Hormone treatment for transgender people is usually initiated by specialist gender clinics, but some people start hormone treatment of their own accord without a prescription. ... Several guidelines are available on the start of hormonal treatment234567; the focus of this article is the long term hormonal care for transgender people who might ...

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How long does the transgender process take?

Some of the physical changes begin in as little as a month, though it may take as long as 5 years to see the maximum effect. For example, men transitioning to women can expect A-cup and occasionally larger breasts to fully grow within 2 to 3 years.Apr 22, 2015

How long is gender hormone therapy?

These include the dose and your body's response. For most people, it takes 18 to 24 months to achieve the full effect.Jun 4, 2021

How long does female to male surgery take?

A metoidioplasty typically takes 2–5 hours. After the initial surgery, additional procedures may be necessary. A Centurion procedure takes approximately 2.5 hours, and removing the female reproductive organs will add to this time.Oct 8, 2019

How long does HRT work for transgender?

The maximum effect will occur within one to two years. Decreased spontaneous erections. This will begin one to three months after treatment. The maximum effect will occur within three to six months.Mar 18, 2021

Can you take HRT for the rest of your life?

There's no limit on how long you can take HRT, but talk to a GP about how long they recommend you take the treatment. Most women stop taking it once their menopausal symptoms pass, which is usually after a few years.

How long does it take to grow breasts on estrogen?

3 to 6 months
The Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Endocrine Society indicate that breast development starts 3 to 6 months after start of cross-sex hormone therapy (CHT).

Can men get pregnant?

'" Since 2000, several hoax web sites have appeared on the Internet purporting to describe the world's first pregnant man. While some rely on legitimate scientific claims, no such experiment has ever been reported.

Can HRT grow hair?

The Link Between HRT and Hair Growth

In some cases, yes. By taking more estrogen hormones, some menopausal women may be able to stop and even reverse hormonal hair loss. HRT hair regrowth is also possible for trans women with androgenetic alopecia (otherwise known as male or female pattern baldness).
Dec 17, 2020

Does HRT change your face?

Overall, you may gain or lose weight once you begin hormone therapy, depending on your diet, lifestyle, genetics and muscle mass. Your eyes and face will begin to develop a more feminine appearance as the fat under the skin increases and shifts.

What happens if you stop taking hormones MTF?

Most of the changes brought on by “feminizing” hormone therapy are not permanent. If you stop taking the medication, most of the changes will reverse themselves. There are two types of changes that may be permanent: breast growth and sterility.

When can transgender people start hormone therapy?

Transgender adolescents usually have stable gender identities and can be given GnRH analogs to suppress puberty until they can proceed with hormone therapy as early as age 16.

What is the normal testosterone level for transgender men?

A practical target for hormone therapy for transgender men (FTM) is to increase testosterone levels to the normal male physiological range (300–1000 ng/dl) by administering testosterone.

How long after parenteral testosterone injection can you measure peak?

Peak levels for patients taking parenteral testosterone can be measured 24 – 48 h after injection. Trough levels can be measured immediately before injection.

Should MTF patients be screened for breast cancer?

MTF patients should be screened for breast and prostate cancer appropriately.

How many people regret genital reassignment surgery?

Both Leis and Green say that as few as 1 in 100 people regret their genital reassignment surgery. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need ongoing assistance. Along with follow-up medical care, they may need counseling to address common issues like depression and anxiety.

How many people never have surgery after transitioning?

As many as 75% of people who transition to a different gender never pursue surgery, Green and Leis say.

What hormones do women take to become men?

Women making the transition to men take male hormones, or androgens. These hormones make them appear more masculine. The treatment:

Is hormone surgery irreversible?

In cases where hormones alone aren ’t enough, surgery is an option. But it’s a major and, depending on the procedure, irreversible choice. Both patients and their surgeons must be certain it’s the right decision.

Does hormone therapy help with gender dysphoria?

But hormone therapy does more than alter your appearance. It can also dramatically and quickly ease feelings of gender dysphoria, Green says.

Is hormone therapy dangerous?

Hormone therapy comes with risks, though, says surgeon Sherman Leis, DO, of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery.

What is the best treatment for transgender women?

The key element in treating trans women is the administration of oestrogens. Guidelines recommend using the natural form 17 β-oestradiol because ethinyloestrogen (common in oral contraceptives) has been associated with a strong increase in the risk of venous thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. 8 Progestogens cause no additional feminisation effect when prescribed alongside oestrogens.

What is the purpose of hormone treatment for transgender people?

The aim of hormone treatment in transgender people is to adjust their secondary sex characteristics to be more congruent with their experienced gender. Hormone treatment for transgender people is usually initiated by specialist gender clinics, but some people start hormone treatment of their own accord without a prescription.

Is breast cancer more common in trans women?

Cases of cancer of the prostate and breast have been reported but recent studies showed no increased overall risk, although the estimated breast cancer risk in trans women is 33 times higher compared with cis men. 25 26 27 28

Is it safe to treat gender dysphoria?

11 12 13 From a medical point of view, hormonal treatment seems to be acceptably safe. 14 15

Can hormones help with gender dysphoria?

Transgender people using hormone treatment need lifelong medical support and care. Hormonal treatment for gender dysphoria resem bles hormone replacement therapy for people with hypogonadism. Hormone treatment in transgender people is accepted to be safe and increases overall wellbeing in most people. The most common (though rare) ...

Can transgender women have their prostate removed?

Some trans women will not have had their prostate removed and some trans men keep their ovaries.

What are the treatment options for gender dysphoria?

Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therapy. If you have gender dysphoria, seek help from a doctor who has expertise in the care of transgender people.

How to help someone with gender dysphoria?

What might help one person might not help another. The process might or might not involve a change in gender expression or body modifications. Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therapy.

What is the procedure to change breasts?

Surgery, such as feminizing surgery or masculinizing surgery to change the breasts or chest, external genitalia, internal genitalia, facial features, and body contouring. Some people use hormone therapy to seek maximum feminization or masculinization.

What is gender dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria involves feelings of distress due to a strong desire to be of another gender than the one assigned and by the extent and pervasiveness of gender-variant activities and interests.

What is voice and communication therapy?

Voice and communication therapy to develop vocal characteristics matching your experienced or expressed gender

Is surgery necessary for gender dysphoria?

Treatments are based on your goals, as well as an evaluation of the risks and benefits of medication use, the presence of any other conditions, and consideration of your social and economic issues. Many people also find that surgery is necessary to relieve their gender dysphoria.

Is therapy helpful?

Therapy might be helpful during many stages of your life.

What is the treatment for transgender men?

Many transgender men seek therapy for virilization and the mainstay treatment is exogenous testosterone. Transgender women desire suppression of androgenic effects and often use anti-androgen therapy with feminizing exogenous estrogens.

What is the purpose of the transgender review?

The purpose of this review is to present updates on the current hormonal regimens used by transgender patients, to discuss the safety and efficacy of these treatments, and to provide a summary of the current data that exist on both their short- and long-term effects.

Why do transgender men need hormones?

Exogenous testosterone is used in transgender men to induce virilization and suppress feminizing characteristics . In transgender women, exogenous estrogen is used to help feminize patients, and anti-androgens are used as adjuncts to help suppress masculinizing ...

What is testosterone therapy?

Testosterone. Testosterone therapy is used to suppress female secondary sex characteristics and masculinize transgender men. The therapy used resembles hormone replacement regimens used to treat natal men with hypogonadism and most of the preparations are testosterone esters.

How long does it take for estrogen to change?

The extent of these changes and the time interval for maximum change varies across patients and may take up to 18 to 24 months to occur. Use of anti-androgenic therapy as an adjunct helps to achieve maximum change.

How long do you have to live before starting hormone therapy?

This test required patients to live full-time as their self-affirmed gender for a predetermined period of time (usually 12 months) before starting cross-sex hormones.

What is a transgender man?

Transgender men are individuals who were assigned female at birth but identify as men, and transgender women are individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify as women. While research in this area is sparse, the current evidence points toward a biologic etiology for transgenderism.

What is the treatment for transgender women?

People assigned as males at birth who transition to female gender are transgender females. Their management includes an estrogen plus an anti-androgen

Why are transgender people presenting for medical care?

Increasing numbers of transgender individuals are presenting for medical care, probably because of gradually increasing societal acceptance and awareness. Most individuals will have their care started by specialists in transgender health. General practitioners play a valuable role in providing support and managing comorbidities and may contribute to ongoing treatment and monitoring. Transgender people who are comfortable talking to their GP are likely to have better physical and mental health.

How often is testosterone enantate given?

Testosterone enantate was, until recently, commonly used, however it is currently unavailable. It is given by intramuscular injection every 2–3 weeks. Suitable patients can be taught to self-inject. The starting dose is 125 mg titrated up to 250 mg with the aim of reaching male physiological concentrations. There can be cyclical effects of aggression or an expansive mood at the start of the cycle and fatigue and irritability at the end.

What is the target range for transwomen?

In transwomen the target range is equivalent to mid-cycle estradiol concentrations of approximately 400–700 mmol/L.3 Testosterone is also monitored in transwomen to ensure suppression to equivalent female concentrations. Some clinicians monitor prolactin concentrations, as a theoretical risk of prolactinoma exists with estrogen treatment.

Why is treatment titrated?

Treatment is titrated so that hormone concentrations are equivalent to the physiological concentrations of the preferred gender. This aims to minimise adverse effects

How often is hormone concentration monitored?

Hormone concentrations are monitored at three-monthly intervals after treatment begins, to assist with titrating the dose to achieve physiological concentrations for the preferred gender. This is based on a presumption that physiological concentrations will produce maximal effectiveness without undue harm. After the first year, monitoring can be reduced to 6–12-monthly.

What hormones are used to help transwomen?

Estrogens in combination with an anti-androgen are the standard first-choice gender-affirming hormone treatments for transwomen.

What is transgender woman?

Lauren Schlanger, MD. Updated on June 14, 2021. Transgender women and transfeminine people are people whose assigned sex at birth is male, yet they exist as women. Transgender people represent a group that includes not just transgender women but also non-binary people who have a more feminine gender identity than the one ...

Why do transfeminine people have testicles removed?

1 . The purpose of estrogen treatment for transfeminine people is to cause physical changes that make the body more feminine.

Why is oral ethinyl estradiol not recommended for transgender women?

Oral ethinyl estradiol is not recommended for use in transgender women because it is associated with an increased risk of blood clots. Conjugated estrogens are not used frequently, as they may put women at a higher risk of blood clots and heart attacks than 17B-estradiol, and they also cannot be accurately monitored with blood tests.

How much estrogen should I take for premenopausal women?

The goal is to make certain you have similar levels of estrogen to premenopausal cisgender women, which is about 100 to 200 picograms/milliliter (pg/mL). A doctor will also need to monitor the effects of your anti-androgen by checking your testosterone levels.

How long does it take for estrogen to work?

The physical changes associated with estrogen treatment may start within a few months. However, changes can take two to three years to be fully realized. This is particularly true for breast growth.

How long does it take for breast augmentation to be realized?

However, changes can take two to three years to be fully realized. This is particularly true for breast growth. As many as two-thirds of transgender women and transfeminine people are not satisfied with breast growth and may seek breast augmentation.

Do transgender women need the same screening tests as cisgender women?

Transgender women and non-binary feminine people taking estrogen treatment should be aware that they will need many of the same screening tests as cisgender women. In particular, they should follow the same screening guidelines for mammograms.

What is gender affirming treatment?

This gender-affirming treatment uses female hormones to create a more feminine appearance. Feminizing hormone therapy may be used as a standalone treatment or combined with gender affirmation surgery.

What is feminizing hormone therapy?

Feminizing hormone therapy is an option for transwomen — people who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) but identify as women. This therapy is a common treatment for gender dysphoria (a condition in which differences between physical appearance and assigned gender cause distress).

How does gender dysphoria affect people?

Many trans, nonbinary and intersex people also face discrimination in society, which can make anxiety and depression worse. Feminine hormone therapy can help address these issues by matching your appearance with your authentic gender identity. Discuss your options with your healthcare provider and take your first step to a more fulfilling life.

What is the surgery to feminize your voice?

Voice feminization surgery: Surgeons alter the vocal cords to help you achieve a higher-pitched, more feminine-sounding voice .

What is facial feminization?

Facial feminization: Procedures that transform the appearance of your face. It may include shortening the forehead or softening the angles of your jaw.

Do you have to change your gender first?

The timing is up to you and your healthcare provider. Some people affirm their new gender identity first by changing their names and dressing differently. But this isn’t a requirement.

Is gender affirmation surgery required?

Some transwomen also choose surgery to make more changes to their appearance. While surgery isn’t a requirement , there are many options available to you, including:

How long does it take for a sexual desire to decrease?

According to a 2017 article, a person can expect a decrease in sexual desire and function within 1–3 months. However, these changes can take 3–6 years to reach their maximum effect.

How does reducing androgens help with transition?

Reducing the number of androgens in the body helps a person transition by encouraging changes in fat distribution, breast development, and male pattern hair growth. Doctors may also prescribe other anti-androgen drugs to help the transitioning process. Learn more about estrogen here.

What is estrogen hormone therapy?

Estrogen hormone therapy involves an individual assigned male at birth taking the hormone estrogen to develop certain “feminine” characteristics.

What is MTF therapy?

Male-to-female (MTF) hormone therapy , or estrogen hormone therapy, can cause a person to experience physical, emotional, sexual, and reproductive changes. Some transgender people transition with the help of medical procedures, such as estrogen hormone therapy. This can help the body develop “feminine” physical characteristics.

How long does it take for estrogen to change?

Some people may see these changes within months, whereas others may only notice changes after a year. It is important to receive estrogen hormone therapy from a healthcare professional.

How long can you take hormones before seeing changes?

It is also essential that a person manages their expectations of when they will begin to see changes. Some people can take hormones for over a year before seeing any noticeable changes.

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Diagnosis

  • Your health care provider might make a diagnosis of gender dysphoria based on: 1. Behavioral health evaluation.Your provider will evaluate you to confirm the presence of gender dysphoria and document how prejudice and discrimination due to your gender identity (minority stress factors) impact your mental health. Your provider will also ask about th...
See more on mayoclinic.org

Treatment

  • Treatment can help people who have gender dysphoria explore their gender identity and find the gender role that feels comfortable for them, easing distress. However, treatment should be individualized. What might help one person might not help another. Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therap…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Clinical Trials

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Coping and Support

  • Gender dysphoria can be lessened by supportive environments and knowledge about treatment to reduce the difference between your inner gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Social support from family, friends and peers can be a protective factor against developing depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, anxiety or high-risk behaviors. Other options for support include: 1. …
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • You may start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you may be referred to a behavioral health professional. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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