AnthonyL
07-09-2007, 04:42 AM
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.
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:
Breast development (full development takes several years)
Loss of ejaculation
Loss of erection
Shrinkage of testicles
Sterility Temporary changes, which are reversible after HT is stopped, include the following:
Decrease in acne
Decrease in facial and body hair
Decrease in muscle mass and strength
Skin becomes softer and smoother
Slowing of balding pattern
Redistribution of fat from abdominal area to hips and buttocks Risks associated with HT include the following:
Benign pituitary tumors
Gallbladder disease
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypothyroidism
Liver disease
Migraine headache
Tendency for blood to clot, causing related conditions:
Aneurysm
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Pulmonary embolism (can be fatal)
Weight gain
Worsening of depression (if present); increased sensitivity to stress Female to Male Changes
Females transitioning to males (FTM) may experience the following permanent effects of testosterone:
Atrophy of the uterus and ovaries, resulting in sterility
Baldness; hair loss, especially at temples and crown of head
Beard and mustache growth
Deepening of the voice
Enlargement of the clitoris
Increased growth of body hair
Sterility Temporary changes, which are reversible after HT is stopped, include the following:
Behavioral developments associated with testosterone production during male puberty:
Aggression
Increased libido
Development of acne, similar to male puberty
Increased muscle mass and strength
Increase in number of red blood cells
Redistribution of fat from breasts, hips, and thighs to abdominal area Risks associated with FTM testosterone therapy include the following:
Breast cancer
Cancer of endometrium
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Hypertension
Liver diseaseTobacco 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
Legal age of majority (age 18 in the United States)
Demonstrable knowledge of what hormones can and cannot medically do and hormone benefits and risks
Either real-life experience of at least 3 months living in the desired role or a period of psychotherapy (usually at least 3 months) specified by a mental health professional Readiness
Real-life experience or psychotherapy has further consolidated gender identity.
Patient has made progress in improving or continuing stable mental health (implies control of sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis, and suicidal tendencies).
Patient is deemed likely to take hormones responsibly. 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
Legal age of majority (age 18 in the United States)
12 months of prior continuous hormone therapy (HT), unless medically contraindicated
12 months of successful, continuous, full-time, real-life experience
Regular, responsible participation in psychotherapy, if required by the mental health professional
Demonstrable knowledge about surgical cost, length of hospitalization, complications, and rehabilitation
Knowledge of different competent surgeons Readiness
Patient has made demonstrable progress in consolidating gender identity.
Patient has made progress in improving or continuing stable mental health (implies control of sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis, and suicidal tendencies). Adapted from Standards of Care for Gender
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.
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:
Breast development (full development takes several years)
Loss of ejaculation
Loss of erection
Shrinkage of testicles
Sterility Temporary changes, which are reversible after HT is stopped, include the following:
Decrease in acne
Decrease in facial and body hair
Decrease in muscle mass and strength
Skin becomes softer and smoother
Slowing of balding pattern
Redistribution of fat from abdominal area to hips and buttocks Risks associated with HT include the following:
Benign pituitary tumors
Gallbladder disease
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypothyroidism
Liver disease
Migraine headache
Tendency for blood to clot, causing related conditions:
Aneurysm
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Pulmonary embolism (can be fatal)
Weight gain
Worsening of depression (if present); increased sensitivity to stress Female to Male Changes
Females transitioning to males (FTM) may experience the following permanent effects of testosterone:
Atrophy of the uterus and ovaries, resulting in sterility
Baldness; hair loss, especially at temples and crown of head
Beard and mustache growth
Deepening of the voice
Enlargement of the clitoris
Increased growth of body hair
Sterility Temporary changes, which are reversible after HT is stopped, include the following:
Behavioral developments associated with testosterone production during male puberty:
Aggression
Increased libido
Development of acne, similar to male puberty
Increased muscle mass and strength
Increase in number of red blood cells
Redistribution of fat from breasts, hips, and thighs to abdominal area Risks associated with FTM testosterone therapy include the following:
Breast cancer
Cancer of endometrium
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Hypertension
Liver diseaseTobacco 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
Legal age of majority (age 18 in the United States)
Demonstrable knowledge of what hormones can and cannot medically do and hormone benefits and risks
Either real-life experience of at least 3 months living in the desired role or a period of psychotherapy (usually at least 3 months) specified by a mental health professional Readiness
Real-life experience or psychotherapy has further consolidated gender identity.
Patient has made progress in improving or continuing stable mental health (implies control of sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis, and suicidal tendencies).
Patient is deemed likely to take hormones responsibly. 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
Legal age of majority (age 18 in the United States)
12 months of prior continuous hormone therapy (HT), unless medically contraindicated
12 months of successful, continuous, full-time, real-life experience
Regular, responsible participation in psychotherapy, if required by the mental health professional
Demonstrable knowledge about surgical cost, length of hospitalization, complications, and rehabilitation
Knowledge of different competent surgeons Readiness
Patient has made demonstrable progress in consolidating gender identity.
Patient has made progress in improving or continuing stable mental health (implies control of sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis, and suicidal tendencies). Adapted from Standards of Care for Gender