Transsexual Hormone Therapy FAQ

The human body is a complex mechanism. Part of this complexity is the existence of hormones, which are regulatory substances that carry electrical signals or messages from one organ to the bloodstream, which is carried out to other organs. The purpose of hormones is to basically achieve homeostasis or balance in the body.

Hormones are chemicals that are responsible for achieving a balance in growth, metabolism, sexual function, mood, and reproduction. Many organs are responsible for producing hormones for different functions, some of which are the endocrine system, the pituitary gland, the pancreas, and adrenals.

Hormones at a glance – to understand hormones better, this site provides a basic overview of how they function and how they affect the body's different functionalities. This also provides an overview of different tests for hormonal issues.

The Endocrine System – this is a great read for understanding the endocrine system and how hormones work to have a balanced cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Urinary System, and other critical systems in the body.

The hormonal glands produce hormones. These are then carried out to the bloodstream and distributed to the cells in our entire body. These hormones attach themselves to the cells, much like putting in a key to a lock. Once this happens, cells recognize the union and then carry out specific functions that positively affect growth, sex drive, stimulation, and other developmental activities that happen in the body.

An Overview of Hormone Therapy for Transsexuals – this provides an overview of the process that happens during the transition from male to female. It also provides information on the role of testosterone and estrogen control in the body.

To transition from male to female, one needs several hormones that a male does not typically produce in volume.

• Estrogen – these are hormones that develop female characteristics, like a wider pelvis. It is the opposite of testosterone. Males also produce estrogen but not in the same capacity as women.
• Progesterone – this hormone is responsible for the formation of the breast. It is also primarily responsible for pregnancy.
• Anti-androgens – antiandrogens prevent testosterone from working with your body's cells. For example, since testosterone is responsible for the growth of facial hair, the use of anti-androgens will prohibit testosterone from doing its job, thus resulting to less facial hair for men.
• GnRH – this is called gonadotropin-releasing hormone. What it does is to stimulate the reproduction of other hormones which are responsible for the maintenance of sperm cells and eggs cells.

Similar to male-to-female transition, a female needs some specific hormones to boost the development of male characteristics, such as facial hair, muscle growth, and penile development.

• Testosterone – testosterone is an important male hormone that aids in the development of muscle mass, fertility, and fat distribution.
• Progestin – this is a synthetic hormone usually taken orally. It eliminates menstruation.
• Andro hormones – also called pro-hormones, these are hormonal supplements that increase a person's sex drive, improve move, decrease fat, and increase muscle mass. They typically come in different forms like androstenedione numbers 4, 5, and 19, androstenediol, and 19-norandrostenediol.

Basically, this is a hormone therapy whose aim is to improve the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Male: during hormone therapy, males will experience reduced sperm count. The therapy will also reduce a man's sex drive which results to lesser or infrequent erections. If they do occur, they do not last long and erections are difficult to maintain. Men will also experience an increase in breast size and reduce the growth of hair.

Female: females who do hormone replacement therapy will experience growth of facial hair and develop a deeper voice, just as men develop deeper voice when they grow an Adam's apple. The clitoris will also get enlarged and some women may start displaying signs of baldness similar to men.

The links below will provide you with an overview of what happens to your body when you go through hormone replacement therapy.

Hormones, once naturally produced, go through the bloodstream where they are deposited to cells of other organs. A person can also take them orally or through injections. Some products come in the form of cream or patch.

One of the common risks is the increased possibility of heart failure. It is also a known side effect that there is a higher likelihood of blood clots to occur, and that there is a high chance of developing cardiovascular diseases. Breast cancer is also a known danger, along with Alzheimer's' disease.

The most important step is to work with a qualified physician. The doctor knows your body's limits and will tell you what activities need to be maintained to avoid unwanted side effects. Regular exercise, low fat diet, and regular visits to the doctor will also decrease the risks.

Hormones are naturally produced in the body. However, the hormones are not produced equally between males and females. The endocrine system is responsible for hormone productions, which includes the pituitary gland, the thyroid, hypothalamus, ovaries, testes, and adrenals. You can also buy synthetic hormones or bottled ones as prescribed by your doctor.

Generally speaking, they can last anywhere between two to five years. It really depends on how long your body takes to complete the transition. It is good to note that a person undergoing a change will continue to take hormonal supplement for the entirety of their life.

The dosage can range from 0.625 to 2.5 milligrams. Sometimes it can take higher doses to achieve the desired results.

Below are some helpful links where you can find great information.

• Endocrine Distributors – please note that government or educational institutions do not typically endorse companies that manufacture or sell hormone supplements. Consult your doctor for products that you are interested in buying.
• Introduction on Transgender – this site provides a great overview on transgender transition, what it is, and other further reading.
• Transgender Terms and Terminologies – a great resource to understand the different meanings of different terms about transgender issues.
• Health Transition Facts on Transgender – this is a study on the health assessment of those who went through gender change.
• Transgender Dating Site – here is a popular transgender dating site. Please know that these sites are like other dating sites. No educational institution or government body will endorse these sites so be careful when dealing with strangers.
• Other FAQs – this is a great resource if you have further questions about the transgender community.