Individuals who are transgender, whether MTF or FTM, have a lot of decisions to make regarding transition. There are numerous surgical procedures to choose from, along with transgender therapy, which involves taking hormones to create a body that is more in line with an individual’s gender identity. Today, we’ll look at the basics of hormone therapy and how it works for transgender people.
Masculine Transgender Therapy
Those who are transitioning from female to male can choose hormone therapy to masculinize their bodies. This involves taking testosterone on a regular basis to minimize the amount of estrogen in the body and bring the testosterone levels up to a typical male range. Testosterone can be taken in several ways, but the most common is through weekly or biweekly injections. However, there are also patches and gels which are applied to the skin, as well as pellets that are inserted under the skin.
There are several effects to come from testosterone therapy but many take months or years to reach the desired level. Testosterone will deepen your voice. It also redistributes the fat in your body into a more male pattern. Facial and body hair will begin to grow. Changes to your skin are also common, as is the cessation of the menstrual cycle.
Feminine Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy for transgender women works by lowering the level of testosterone in the body while raising the level of estrogen to a typical female level. This is what leads to feminine changes to the body. There are a few different hormones used with male to female patients. These include estrogen, which is the main hormones responsible for developing the sex characteristic of a female. Anti-androgens are sometimes used to lower the amount of testosterone that is produced in the body. This may mean that a transgender woman will need to take less estrogen to see the desired changes.
Hormones can lead to a change in the distribution of body fat and may make the hair on your body finer. It can also make the skin more sensitive. Estrogen will also encourage the development of breast tissue and may cause emotional changes.
If you want to learn more about transgender hormone therapy, the professionals at the International Center for Transgender Health are here to help. You can learn more by visiting our website at www.TheTransCenter.com.
