Treatment FAQ

why is medical transition and hormone therapy the only treatment for gender dysphoria

by Ms. Marisol Dare DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

For transgender and gender-diverse individuals, being able to socially and medically affirm their gender can be critical for physical and psychological well-being. 6  Furthermore, hormone therapy is the only medical intervention that many gender-diverse individuals either want or need.

Full Answer

Does transitioning reduce gender dysphoria?

Jun 13, 2018 · 2. Transgender Youth. Children represent a small number of individuals with gender dysphoria and in only 10-20% of the children, gender dysphoria will continue to manifest in adolescence [].However, psychological therapy and support are highly recommended; while such services are now far more widely available, they are still insufficient to provide for …

How is testosterone used to treat gender dysphoria?

Jan 01, 2018 · Medical transition for the treatment of gender dysphoria, including hormonal and surgical treatment, is linked to improvements in health in many areas of trans people’s lives. Transition is known to be effective in resolving gender dysphoria itself, and is associated with better body image and congruence, sexual functioning, quality of life, and overall mental health, …

Do transgender men need hormone therapy during the transition process?

Finding an appropriate individual solution is the main objective even if contraindications are present. Male-to-female treatment is carried out with 17β-estradiol or 17β-estradiol valerate in combination with cyproterone acetate or spironolactone as an antiandrogen, female-to-male treatment with transdermal or intramuscular testosterone ...

Does hormonal treatment reduce psychobiological distress in gender identity disorder?

Sep 26, 2016 · Smith, KP, et al. Gonadal Suppressive and Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy for Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults. Pharmacotherapy . 2014:34:1282-1297 Colizzi M, et al. Hormonal Treatment Reduces Psychobiological Distress in Gender Identity Disorder, Independently of Attachment Style.

Which therapy is most preferred for gender dysphoria?

Hormone therapy for adults

It's important to remember that hormone therapy is only one of the treatments for gender dysphoria. Others include voice therapy and psychological support. The decision to have hormone therapy will be taken after a discussion between you and your clinic team.

Can hormones cause gender dysphoria?

The exact causes of gender dysphoria are not entirely understood, but several factors may play a role. Genetics, hormonal influences during prenatal development, and environmental factors may be involved. The onset of gender dysphoria is often during early childhood.Feb 2, 2022

Does surgery help gender dysphoria?

Many transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals "find comfort with their gender identity, role, and expression without surgery," but for others, "surgery is essential and medically necessary to alleviate their gender dysphoria," according to the organization.Nov 11, 2019

What is a medical transition?

Medical Transition

That means the body won't go through the permanent changes that normally happen during puberty, such as growing facial hair, getting an Adam's apple, voice changes, breast growth, and the start of menstrual periods. But the effects of the medication are reversible.
Dec 13, 2020

Can gender dysphoria be caused by trauma?

Gender dysphoria currently exists as a mental health diagnosis, perpetuating stigma as well as pathologizing gender variance. Clinical social workers have preserved a harmful formulation that gender dysphoria is a disorder caused by trauma.

Is there a genetic component to gender dysphoria?

There is a likely genetic component to gender dysphoria, but association study data have been equivocal. We explored the specific hypothesis that gender dysphoria in transgender women is associated with variants in sex hormone–signaling genes responsible for undermasculinization and/or feminization.

How does MTF deal with gender dysphoria?

Other ways to ease gender dysphoria might include use of:
  1. Peer support groups.
  2. Voice and communication therapy to develop vocal characteristics matching your experienced or expressed gender.
  3. Hair removal or transplantation.
  4. Genital tucking.
  5. Breast binding.
  6. Breast padding.
  7. Packing.
Feb 26, 2022

Can gender dysphoria be treated with therapy?

“Talk” therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist is for a key part of treatment for gender dysphoria. Many people also decide to take at least some steps to bring their physical appearance in line with how they feel inside. They might change the way they dress or pick a different name.May 20, 2021

How long does it take to transition from female to male?

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.Apr 22, 2015

What causes gender dysphoria?

The exact cause of gender dysphoria is unclear. Gender development is complex and there are still things that are not known or fully understood. Gender dysphoria is not related to sexual orientation. People with gender dysphoria may identify as straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual.

What does it mean to transition from male to female?

What does "gender transition" mean? Transitioning is the time period during which a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the gender they were thought to be at birth. While not all transgender people transition, a great many do at some point in their lives.Jul 9, 2016

Can you surgically change your gender?

Gender-affirming surgery gives transgender people a body that aligns with their gender. It may involve procedures on the face, chest or genitalia. Common transgender surgery options include: Facial reconstructive surgery to make facial features more masculine or feminine.May 3, 2021

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.

Do trans men need hormone therapy?

Many trans men seek maximum virilization, while others desire suppression of their natal secondary sex characteristics only. As a result, hormone therapy can be tailored to a patient’s transition goals, but must also take into account their medical comorbidities and the risks associated with hormone use.

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 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.

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.

Is there a large scale prospective study?

Large-scale prospective studies are lacking. Many of the studies that currently exist have small patient numbers as well as short or medium-term follow-up, and very few of the patients studied are over the age of 65. Furthermore, no head-to-head comparisons of hormone regimens have been published.

Is diabetes a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

In addition, diabetes is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and may have an important role in raising the risk of cardiovascular morbidity in trans women on estrogen, as this comorbidity has been found to be prevalent among the transgender population (32). Large-scale prospective studies are lacking.

What is the medical transition for gender dysphoria?

Medical transition for the treatment of gender dysphoria, including hormonal and surgical treatment, is linked to improvements in health in many areas of trans people’s lives. Transition is known to be effective in resolving gender dysphoria itself, and is associated with better body image and congruence, sexual functioning, quality of life, and overall mental health, along with reductions in self-harming behaviors and suicidality. For these reasons, major professional organizations in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, endocrinology, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology recognize the efficacy of medical transition for appropriately diagnosed patients and support the availability of these procedures.

What is medical transition?

Medical transition has been found to be associated with a decrease in uneasiness with one’s body as well as greater satisfaction with various bodily features and an improved body image overall. Bandini et al. (2013) studied body uneasiness in trans people who had undergone genital reassignment surgery, as well as those who had not, finding a consistent reduction in body dissatisfaction following surgery:

What hormones are released in response to stress?

Before they began treatment, participants had their level of cortisol measured 11. Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress, and can be used to measure perceived stress.

How is cortisol measured?

Cortisol level was measured by taking a blood sample one hour after waking up for three days and perceived stress was determined using a self-reported evaluation 11.

Why is being an ally important?

Being an ally is especially important for patients in this population, because they experience higher instances of health care inequity. The increase of the quality of life, coupled with the little known risk, suggests that medical intervention is a good option for patients with GD.

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