How To Hormone replacement therapy for males and females.
It is an exciting choice to start male-to-female hormone replacement therapy.hormone treatment is the first step in transitioning from male to female.You need to find a doctor who can prescribe female hormones.You can take these hormones with a patch, pill, or injection.Side effects and unwanted features may need to be managed as your body begins to change.You can consider surgery after a few years on hormones.
Step 1: You can find a local healthcare provider.
Ask your doctor if they can give you HRT.HRT can be provided by some physicians.In most cases, they will refer you to a doctor who specializes in hormones.You can find your nearest endocrinologist if you don't have a primary care doctor.Do you know if your local LGBT support organization has any recommendations for a good doctor?There are some locations in the US that offer HRT.
Step 2: Inform the person about the transition process.
Changes, side effects, and processes of HRT will be discussed by your doctor.They may give you pamphlets and other reading material.Carefully go through these.If you are certain that you want to continue, sign a document giving informed consent to the doctor.Most doctors only give HRT to people over the age of 18.Older adolescents may be able to have therapy with their parent or guardian.Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.HRT increases your risk of blood clot, cancer, and stroke.You will become sterile after a few months on HRT.If you want to have a child one day, talk to your doctor about your options.
Step 3: You need to show that you are willing to undergo HRT.
Some doctors may require proof that you are comfortable living as a female and can make the decision to undergo HRT.You may need to show that you have lived as a woman for a year.If you are working with a therapist, they can give you a reference.A psychological evaluation by a therapist may be required by some doctors.They can refer you to a therapist or give you your own.Some doctors won't need this step.Many will try to make sure you think through the decision carefully.
Step 4: Discuss your medical history with your doctor.
It is possible that hormones can increase the risk of certain medical problems.You should give your doctor a full report of your medical history, including any past hormone treatments.Inform your doctor if you have a history of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart attacks.Hormone therapy can increase your risk of these.If you have a history of depression, you should tell your doctor about it.
Step 5: You should not have blood tests to determine your health.
Your doctor can use these tests to find the right medication for you.It will make sure that you are healthy for hormone therapy.You can have your blood tested at the office or sent to a lab.
Step 6: You can get a prescription for male and female hormones.
Estradiol will be prescribed to introduce female hormones into your body, as well as an anti-androgen to reduce male hormones.In rare cases, you may be given progesterone as well.Estradiol, estriol, and estrone are hormones.It's the female hormone.Estrogen can be taken in pill, patch, or injection form.Anti-androgens will reduce testosterone in your body.Spironolactone comes in pill form.If estrogen is not working in your body, progesterone may be used.It is not usually prescribed due to the high risk of side effects.
Step 7: Save money to pay for treatment.
It can cost as much as $1,500 a year.Some insurance plans will cover the treatment.If you have insurance, you should talk to your provider to see if they will cover your treatment.Start saving money if you don't.People who start HRT will be on it for the rest of their lives.Start budgeting to include HRT.
Step 8: The patch should be applied directly to the skin.
Estrogen can be given as a skin patch.To apply the patch, follow the instructions on the label.The patch will be applied to the skin twice a week.Women over 40, smokers, and anyone with a higher risk of blood clot should use a patch.
Step 9: According to your doctor, take a pill.
Estrogen can be delivered in pill form.Anti-androgens may come in pill form.Carefully read the instructions on your medication.Some pills need to be taken every day while others are taken only occasionally.There are different levels of risk and effectiveness of pills.Don't take more than your prescribed dose of hormones.It is not possible to speed up your transition by taking more hormones.
Step 10: Estradiol is injected into your buttock or thigh weekly.
Ask your doctor to show you how to inject.Before you inject, you should clean your skin with an alcohol wipe.Hold the tip upside down to fill the bottle.To fill it, press down on the plunger.If you want to inject it, make sure to press down on the plunger and release any air bubbles.Injections can increase the risk of blood clot.
Step 11: As you start therapy, watch out for side effects.
People develop differently on HRT.Some take longer than others to develop feminine features.It is important that you keep an eye on your health.If you notice abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, call your doctor.
Step 12: For the first year, return to the doctor every three months.
The doctor can check your hormones and see if you have any side effects.Your doctor may increase your dose.Your doctor may only need to keep an eye on you after the first year.
Step 13: You can quit smoking.
The effects of estrogen can be reduced by smoking.Talk to your doctor if you want to quit smoking.
Step 14: It's a good idea to watch out for a reduced sex drive.
Sex drive and libido can be reduced by HRT.Discuss your needs and desires with your partner.Make sure they know that your sex drive may decrease.Couples counseling can help you work through it together.As long as they take HRT, some people will have no sex drive.
Step 15: To maintain muscle tone, exercise.
Estrogen will make your body distribute fat and muscle in a different way.Women are less muscular than men.General health is related to muscle tone.To maintain a healthy muscle tone, keep exercising.
Step 16: If you want to remove hair, get electrolysis or laser treatment.
Estrogen will cause hair on your back, face, and arms to thin, but it will not take it away completely.If you want to remove hair from these areas, book an appointment with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.It may take several treatments to get rid of hair.The average cost of hair removal is $235 per session.The average cost is between 50 and 100 dollars an hour.
Step 17: A strong support group is needed.
It is possible to feel at peace with your gender identity.Mood swings and other side effects may occur during this time.As you go through HRT, tell your friends and family what to expect.They can help you through the process.If you aren't already going through therapy, you should look for a mental health professional who can provide support.There are support groups for people who are going through HRT.
Step 18: Consider plastic surgery after 2 years.
It can take up to 2 years for the full effects of hormone therapy to show up.Your breasts, hips, face and body may not be completely female until this time, and it may take a while for fat to be redistributed in your body as well.
Step 19: After starting hormones, start breast cancer screenings.
Your risk of breast cancer is still lower than that of a cis gender woman.Annual breast cancer screenings are recommended after a few years on hormones.
Step 20: If you want to have surgery, talk to your doctor.
Not everyone on HRT decides to get gender reassignment surgery, but if this option feels right to you, talk to your doctor to determine what is the best step for you.Male genitals can be removed and replaced with female organs during gender reassignment surgery.The removal of testicles is a procedure.You can start taking a lower dose of estrogen after this procedure.Plastic surgery that will make your face look more feminine is one of the surgeries that you might consider.
Step 21: Save money for the surgery.
Feinization procedures and breast augmentation are not usually covered by insurance.These procedures can cost a lot.$30,000USD is the starting price for gender reassignment surgery.The cost ofFacial Feinization can go all the way up to $20,000.The cost of breast augmentation can be as high as $4,000USD.
Step 22: Discuss if you need to stop taking hormones.
Because hormones can increase the risk of blood clot, your doctor may advise you to stop taking them for 3-6 weeks before surgery.You might need to wait a few weeks after the surgery to start taking them again.