Transition Hormones: Definition, Function, and Impact on Gender Identity
Definition : In the arsenal of medical transition, hormones are often the most powerful and transformative tool.
- Keywords
- medical transition, gender identity, Hormone Replacement Therapy, HRT, Feminizing Hormone Therapy, FHT, Masculinizing Hormone Therapy, MHT, trans men, transmasculine, testosterone, trans women, transfeminine, estrogens, progesterone, anti-androgens
- Topics
- Sexual Health & Prevention
- Updated
What are Transition Hormones?
In the arsenal of medical transition, hormones are often the most powerful and transformative tool. These are treatments that allow for profound modification of secondary sexual characteristics of the body to align it with the person’s gender identity. This is referred to as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), or more specifically, Feminizing Hormone Therapy (FHT) or Masculinizing Hormone Therapy (MHT).
How do Transition Hormones work?
For trans men and transmasculine individuals, the treatment involves taking testosterone. This will cause a second puberty: the voice deepens, body and facial hair develops, muscle mass increases, and fat redistributes. For trans women and transfeminine individuals, the treatment combines estrogens, sometimes progesterone, and anti-androgens (to block the effect of testosterone). This leads to breast development, softer skin, slowed hair growth, and feminization of body shape. It is a long process, spanning years, and life-changing.