Your Options for Hormone Therapy

What Is Hormone Therapy?

Transgender hormone therapy is extremely personalized to each patient’s unique case.  It is important we sit down with you and discuss your various options in order to create the best possible treatment suited for you.

Feminizing (MTF) Hormone Therapy

Feminizing hormone replacement therapy is used to alter the hormone levels of trans women who are wanting to achieve a more feminine physical appearance to match their gender identity. Therapy consists of medication designed to block angrogen (the male sex hormone) receptors and hinder the production of testosterone. This type of hormone therapy can help to induce feminine changes in the body, such as increased breast size. Treatment may include hormone pellets or injections based on your specific case and the professional opinion of your Restore Medical Center team.

Masculinizing (FTM) Hormone Therapy

Masculinizing hormone replacement therapy is performed to alter the hormone levels of trans men who are wanting to achieve a more masculine appearance that better matches their gender identity. The male testosterone hormone is used to help suppress female secondary sex characteristics and achieve a more masculine appearance. Masculinizing hormone replacement therapy with testosterone can help to improve muscle tone and body hair production.

Hormone  Therapy: What to Expect

You will be able to ask any and all questions about transfeminine or transmasculine hormone therapy during your private one-on-one consultation. Our team is extremely sensitive and understanding to your unique case and will work closely to help you best achieve your desired goals.

In accordance with the WPATH Standards of Care, each of our patients is recommended to meet with two gender therapists to help ensure that surgery is an appropriate treatment for the patient’s dysphoria. Restore Medical will work with you to help facilitate these meetings so that you may get to surgery sooner than later if that will help alleviate your gender dysphoria.

Common Questions:

What kind of changes can I expect on hormone therapy?  There are a wide array of changes you will notice during your treatment; this can be quite exciting and sometimes a little overwhelming which is why we are here to help.  These changes can be grouped into physical, emotional and sexual in nature.    Physically you can expect to see changes in:  hair pattern, skin texture, pitch of voice, sweat, changes in muscle, fat distribution and many others.  These will be greatly influenced by your genetics, diet and overall lifestyle.   Changes in emotional state can occur with hormone therapy.  Just like during puberty, you might experience a rush of new sensations, emotions, sensitivities and preference in distinct hobbies.   This will also be amplified by changes in your physical appearance ultimately having an effect on mood.  Finally, you might experience changes in your libido.   Hormones may increase or decrease the mood for sexual activities.  During feminizing treatment, for patients that have not undergone a vaginoplasty, the penis might not sustain an erection, but patients can still have an orgasm.  It might be important to discuss these changes with your mental health professional so you can best navigate these exciting changes.

How long will the results of hormone therapy last? This will vary based on your individualized treatment as well as the length of your therapy. Long-lasting benefits can be maintained by undergoing regular, ongoing sessions as long as you are physically healthy for treatment.  Most changes are typically reversible although you might want to discuss fertility which can be irreversibly affected in some individuals.   Some patients might want to freeze their sperm or eggs before initiating hormone therapy to avoid any possible complications in the future.

Will hormone therapy affect my ability to have children? In some individuals, hormones used during treatment may result in your inability to have children.  Surgery of the gonads, testes or ovaries, will irreversibly lead to infertility.

Will hormone therapy affect my sex life? You will be able to resume your normal sex life with hormone therapy. In some cases, patients undergoing feminizing hormone therapy may experience a decrease in sex drive and also inability to sustain an erection.  You might notice changes in erogenous sensation and changes in how you experience orgasms.

Is hormone therapy safe? Yes. Your hormone therapy will be completely personalized based on your goals and medical history. However, some side effects may arise.  Some individuals with history of clotting disorders, certain types of cancers, smoking etc. might not be eligible for therapy.

Possible Side Effects. Hormone therapy is safe, but does have some possible side effects, including but not limited to:

Clots (deep vein thrombosis)

Bloating
Swelling or tenderness of the breasts/chest
Headaches
Mood swings
Nausea

High Blood Pressure

High potassium

Elevated liver function test

Gallstones

Type 2 diabetes

If you notice any unusual side effects during treatment, please contact our practice immediately.

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