People undergoing estrogen hormone therapy usually receive the hormone estrogen, and other medication to reduce testosterone. This can result in the development of typically feminine secondary sexual characteristics, such as fat distribution and development of breasts. It can also decrease the growth of facial and body hair.
What is the purpose of estrogen treatment for transgender women?
The purpose of estrogen treatment for transgender women is to cause physical changes that make the body more feminine. The combination of a testosterone blocker with estrogen can lead to the following types of desired changes in the body: breast growth.
Do transgender women and transfeminine people get progesterone?
Transgender women and transfeminine people do not usually receive progesterone treatment. In addition to the different routes of administration of estrogen treatment, there are also different types of estrogens used for treatment. These include:
What are the hormones involved in a sex change?
In male to female sex change candidates, the principal feminizing hormones are estrogens. Estrogen alone can induce most of the female characteristics that are required. The second sex steroid produced by the ovaries is progesterone.
How does estrogen hormone therapy work?
People who undergo estrogen hormone therapy will receive medication to block the action of testosterone, a hormone responsible for traits that people may consider to be masculine. They will also receive estrogen, which is the hormone responsible for what people may see as typically female characteristics.
What happens to a male when he takes estrogen?
Estrogen may stimulate breast tissue growth. Men with too much estrogen may develop gynecomastia, a condition which leads to larger breasts. Erectile dysfunction (ED). Men with high levels of estrogen may have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
What are the effects of HRT MTF?
MTF HRT effect timeline:EffectsExpected OnsetExpected Maximum EffectDecreased muscle/mass strength3-6 months1-2 yearsSoftening of skin/decreased oiliness3-6 monthsunknownDecreased libido1-3 months1-2 yearsDecreased spontaneous erections1-3 months3-6 months7 more rows•Jul 13, 2021
What does taking estrogen do to a woman?
Systemic estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for the relief of troublesome menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. Have other symptoms of menopause. Estrogen can ease vaginal symptoms of menopause, such as dryness, itching, burning and discomfort with intercourse.
Does estrogen help with gender dysphoria?
A person may undergo estrogen therapy if they have gender dysphoria. This is when a person experiences distress because their gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth. Estrogen treatment may reduce a person's gender dysphoria and emotional distress and improve their quality of life.
What does estrogen hormone do?
In females, it helps develop and maintain both the reproductive system and female characteristics, such as breasts and pubic hair. Estrogen contributes to cognitive health , bone health, the function of the cardiovascular system , and other essential bodily processes.
What are the benefits of estrogen therapy?
Estrogen is good for your heart by keeping cardiovascular tissue healthy. It also helps with keeping your blood pressure stable. And when your estrogen levels are high, it helps keep blood triglycerides (a type of fat) low, increases HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and lowers LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).
Why would a male receive a female hormone?
Feminizing hormone therapy helps male-to-female transgender individuals (transwomen) achieve a more feminine appearance. It uses anti-androgens to block male hormones. Taking estrogen and progestin helps you develop breasts, softer skin, rounder hips and more.
How do you transition from male to female?
Surgical optionsbreast implants.orchiectomy, which is the removal of the testicles.laser hair removal.tracheal shave, a process where the Adam's apple is made smaller.facial feminization surgery.penile inversion vaginoplasty, which is the creation of a vagina from the skin of the penis.
What is the gender dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.
How long does HRT last MTF?
The maximum effect will occur within two to three years. Redistribution of body fat. This will begin three to six months after treatment. The maximum effect will occur within two to five years.
How long does HRT work for MtF?
This therapy can take several months for noticeable changes to occur, and up to two-to-four years for noticeable effects to completely fill in. Some effects can remain permanent, even if you decide to stop HRT.
How long does it take to grow breasts on HRT?
One study of 229 trans women found that the participants' breasts grew an average of 3.1 centimeters in the first year of hormone therapy, with most of the growth happening in the first 6 months. That said, anecdotally, many people on hormone therapy notice more significant changes. Results vary person to person.
Can you get hard on estrogen?
Soon after beginning hormone treatment, you will notice a decrease in the number of erections you have; and when you do have one, you may lose the ability to penetrate, because it won't be as firm or last as long. You will, however, still have erotic sensations and be able to orgasm.
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.
What happens when you take estrogen and testosterone blocker?
The combination of a testosterone blocker with estrogen can lead to the following types of desired changes in the body: breast growth. decreased body and facial hair. redistribution of body fat. softening and smoothing of the skin. reduced acne. slowed or stopped scalp balding 1 .
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 ...
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.
Can transfeminine use estradiol?
Endocrine Society guidelines specifically suggest that oral ethinyl estradiol should not be used in transfeminine people. This is because oral ethinyl estradiol is the treatment most associated with thromboembolic events such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. 1 .
Can transfeminine people take testosterone blockers?
Testosterone blockers are a necessary part of estrogen treatment for transfeminine people because testosterone acts more strongly in the body than estrogen does. Therefore, in order for transfeminine people to experience the effects of estrogen treatment, they must block their testosterone. The most common medication used to block testosterone is ...
How many testosterone pellets are in a pellet?
Each pellet is cylindrical in shape and contains 75 mg of testosterone and six pelle ts may be implanted with each pass of the insertion device that is provided with the kits.
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.
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.
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.
Does testosterone help bone health?
Testosterone has a direct role in bone health maintenance, but the steroid is also aromatized peripherally to estradiol, which has a very important role as well (25). Testosterone also has an important role in increasing muscle mass, which further helps with bone health preservation.
What are the natural products of estrogen?
Natural oestrogens include estradiol, estrone, and their metabolic product, estriol. When used therapeutically, estrogens are usually given in the form of a conjugate such as ethinyloestradiol, conjugated estrogens, or the synthetic estrogenic substance diethylstilboestrol.
What is the Harry Benjamin standard of care?
Most reputable Medical Practitioners, Mental Health professionals and, Gender Therapists who work with transsexuals follow as closely as possible the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care. Although only guidelines, they do provide specific instructions related to hormone and SRS referral letters.
What is the best doctor to consult for hormones?
Hormones are manufactured and controlled by the endocrine system, therefore, an endocrinologist is the best person to consult, if one is not available in your area then a good gynecologist would suffice, as they are often more understanding and are used to prescribing testosterone, estrogens, and progesterone.
What happens after HRT is stopped?
which are reversible after HRT is stopped, including. A decrease in acne. A decrease in facial and body hair. A decrease in muscle mass and strength Skin becomes softer and smoother Slowing of balding pattern. Redistribution of fat from the abdominal area to hips and buttocks.
How much does testicular size decrease?
Testicular size can be reduced by as much as 25 % in the first year. Female characteristic induction in the initial phases of hormone therapy can be quite painful and is common. The breast size evolves gradually with a period of little or no growth the maximum growth is attained over two years.
Can progesterone be used for transsexuals?
The use of progesteron e to augment breast development is controversial in physicians treating MTF transsexuals. When deciding on a hormone regimen, it should be borne in mind that it is Estrogen that causes e serious side effects, so the lowest effective dose should be used.
Is estrogen a superior estrogen?
In terms of its effect, there are no superior estrogens. The choice relies heavily on availability, cost and preference. Initial side effects are reported to be non-existent. All oral estrogens initially pass the liver after intestinal absorption and exert an effect on liver metabolism.
Why are anti-hormones used in transsexual therapy?
Anti-hormones can be useful in transsexual hormone therapy because they block hormone action or production. The basic mechanisms are: Androgen receptor antagonist: blocks the action of androgens at certain receptor sites. Androgen conversion inhibitor: blocks the conversion of one type of androgen to another.
How does aggressive exogenous hormone therapy affect the endogenous gonadal hormone?
Aggressive exogenous hormone therapy indirectly reduces endogenous (natural) gonadal hormone production by fooling the pituitary into thinking that there are plenty of hormones already in the body; consequently, the pituitary reduces the LH and FSH signals that stimulate the gonads.
What to do before hormone therapy?
Before starting hormone therapy, take a full physical exam, and have blood drawn to check liver function (enzymes) and clotting factors. If you can possibly afford it, also take tests for thyroid, kidney, electrolyte, lipid (cholesterol), prolactin, sugar, estrogen, and androgen levels.
Which hormone is released by the hypothalamus?
Hence the title of endocrinologist for hormone doctors. The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This signals the anterior pituitary gland to synthesize and release luteinizing hormone (LH). To a lesser degree, GnRH also triggers the synthesis and release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
What are the three criteria for post op hormones?
Drugs are ranked by three criteria: Safety and efficacy: excellent, good, fair, unknown, or poor.
Which hormones are produced by the adrenal gland?
Subsequently, LH and FSH signal the gonads (ovaries in females, testes in males) to synthesize and release hormones that cause differentiation of the body tissue into female or male form: estrogens, progesterones, and testosterones. A small quantity of testosterones are also produced by the adrenal gland.
Is hormone therapy risky?
Hormone therapy is fraught with risk as well as promise. Be sure you have fully considered the implications before you start. Work with a medical doctor who is qualified to interpret your signs, symptoms, blood tests, and development in the context of your personal medical history.
Effects of Estrogen Treatment
Methods For Taking Estrogen
- Estrogen can be taken in a number of different ways. People receive estrogen through a pill, injection, patch, or even a topical cream. It's not just a matter of preference. The route by which people take estrogen affects some of the risks of estrogen treatment—estrogen is absorbed by the body differently depending on how you take it. Much of the research on the risks of estroge…
Types of Estrogens
- In addition to the different routes of administration of estrogen treatment, there are also different types of estrogens used for treatment. These include: 1. oral 17B-estradiol 2. oral conjugated estrogens 3. 17B-Estradiol patch (usually replaced every three to five days) 4. estradiol valerate injection (typically every two weeks) 5. estradiol cypionate injection (every one to two weeks) En…
Risks and Benefits
- By Route of Administration
In general, topical or injected estrogen treatment is thought to be safer than oral treatment. This is because there is no hepatic first pass effect. Topical and injectable estrogens also need to be taken less often, which may make dealing with them easier. However, there are downsides to th… - By Type of Estrogen
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 ca…
Treatment and Gender Surgery
- Currently, most surgeons recommend that transgender women and transfeminine people stop taking estrogen before they undergo gender affirmation surgery. This is because of the potentially increased risk for blood clots that is caused both by estrogen and by being inactive after surgery. However, it is unclear whether this recommendation is necessary for everyone. Transgender wo…