Gender-affirming hormone therapy, sometimes called HRT, uses prescribed hormones or related medicines to change some physical sex characteristics. A treatment plan should be based on a person’s goals and health, with discussion of benefits, risks and follow-up. Endocrine Society: Transgender health treatments.
Feminizing and masculinizing treatment
Feminizing treatment may use estrogen and medicines that reduce testosterone effects. UCSF’s patient information describes expected changes and their variability. More medication is not automatically a route to a better or faster result. UCSF: Information on estrogen hormone therapy.
Masculinizing treatment commonly uses testosterone. Mayo Clinic describes effects such as voice changes, facial hair and changes in menstruation. Some changes are lasting, and the effects and timing are not identical for everyone. Mayo Clinic: Masculinizing hormone therapy.
Why clinical monitoring matters
Prescribing should include a health assessment and a plan for monitoring. The Endocrine Society describes the need for an experienced healthcare professional and informed discussion. Online dose tables cannot account for an individual’s medicines, results or medical history. Endocrine Society: Transgender health treatments.
Fertility belongs in the conversation
If having genetically related children matters to you, raise that before starting or changing treatment. Ask for a fertility referral if you want to understand preservation options. Hormone therapy should not be treated as reliable contraception. UCSF: Fertility options for transgender persons.
Questions to take to your appointment
- Which changes do I want, and which are unlikely with this treatment?
- Which effects may be permanent?
- What tests and follow-up will I need?
- Who should I contact about side effects or a missed dose?
This is an adult patient-information overview. It does not offer a prescription, recommend self-medication or describe the eligibility rules for minors.