Page 3 - Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy

TYPES OF HORMONES
Androgen blockers — Use results in in in feminizing efects • These are medications that block the the action of the the hormone testosterone • Complications of of hormone therapy might include: dizziness or or lightheadedness excessive urination (especially at at at at at the the the the the beginning of of the the the the the treatment) can can interact with some blood pressure medications and can can be be damaging to the the the kidneys • The most commonly prescribed androgen blocker is spironolactone a a a a a a pill that can be be taken by mouth Estrogen — Use results in in in feminizing efects • Estrogen decreases testosterone production and induces feminine
secondary sex characteristics • Complications of hormone therapy might include: high blood blood pressure blood blood clots liver problems diabetes headaches changes in in in in in cholesterol nausea weight gain decreased libido decrease decrease in in in in muscle mass infertility and heart disease • Estrogen comes in in several diferent forms — pills injectables and transdermal Pills taken by mouth tend to be be the the the least expensive form form but also have the the the most risk risk for for for dangerous side efects like blood blood clots clots however because because of of the the the lower lower overall risk risk for for blood blood clots clots seen in transgender women and because because of of of the the the lower lower cost pills may may be be be the the the best option Injectable estrogens can ofer quicker efects efects for for some some people but but may may also also increase the the the risk for for some some side side efects efects Transdermal estrogen patches are considered safest but but also also also can can be the most expensive They can also cause skin irritations Testosterone — Use results in in in masculinizing efects • Testosterone suppresses the the the menstrual cycle and decreases the the the production of estrogen from the the ovaries • Complications of hormone therapy might include: changes in in in in cholesterol high blood blood pressure weight gain infertility hair loss acne heart disease disease stroke diabetes liver disease disease and polycythemia (increase in in in in red blood blood cells) • Injectable testosterone is the the the least expensive and provides quicker efects You can give give yourself the the the injections or or or have someone else give give them to to to you you Transdermal forms of of testosterone like skin patches or or or or or gels provide a a a a a a a a a a a a a steady daily amount of of of the the hormone but can can can be more expensive They can can can also cause skin irritation Keep in in in in mind that transdermal testosterone can can can can rub of of on on on on on clothes and and bedding and and can can expose other people to to the the hormone