Navigating HRT- MtF FtM Transgender

Please note: This page is general information only and is not medical advice. Hormone therapy is a medical decision with risks and lasting effects that vary from person to person. Talk with a qualified clinician experienced in transgender care before starting, changing, or stopping any hormone treatment.

Trans people who want to transition often start with Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT. It is undeniably a big decision. What exactly does it entail?

When you are undergoing HRT, you are put on hormones of the gender that you want to transition to. That is, if you were born with male physical attributes and want to transition to a woman, you are put on estrogen.

It is the first big step towards transitioning. As a result, many people ponder upon it for several months or years before making a decision.

 

If you are on the fence about it, the first thing to understand is the permanence of it. The permanence largely depends on your body and the length of time that you have been on hormones.

How long changes take, and which changes last after stopping, varies from person to person and by treatment. Do not rely on a set timeline.

 

Puberty itself can bring lasting physical changes.

There is no single right age to consider or begin treatment, and that decision belongs to you with qualified clinical guidance.  

However, taking hormones is a big step and it is important to think it through. Some trans women report noticing physical or emotional changes in the first months, while others notice changes more gradually or differently.

HRT helps trans women connect with their womanhood and get in touch with parts of themselves that were previously marked because of being born in the wrong body.

Some trans women report that estrogen affects their mood, emotions, or outlook, but experiences vary widely and are not guaranteed. Treatment plans vary, and a clinician may discuss hormone blockers, estrogen, or other options depending on your goals, health, and history.

 

Hormones can affect the body, mood, and social life, and those effects are different for each person.

Socially, trans women may notice a significant paradigm shift in terms of how women and men fit in within different contexts. Even if you are on the fence about being a trans person, do not treat hormones as a low-stakes short trial.

Exploring identity first through reversible steps, such as presentation, name, pronouns, or talking with a supportive clinician or counsellor, is a safer way to learn what feels right. 

 

Initially, it is normal to be in denial or question every feeling and emotion that goes through you. This is an important step, because you don’t want to do something that you are uncertain about.

 

If you are considering hormones, consult a qualified clinician first to discuss benefits, risks, fertility considerations, and monitoring, so you can make an informed decision. Hormone treatment is not risk-free.

As you begin taking hormones, you may either be so comfortable with the changes that you want to continue, or you might feel uncomfortable in your own skin. In the latter case, talk with your clinician about stopping or changing treatment rather than stopping on your own, since some effects may persist and stopping can also bring changes.  

 

Finally, when it comes to making these big decisions, it is important to break it down into smaller decisions. What are the smaller aspects of transitioning that you can decide about first?

If you are not ready for medical changes, you could try presentation, makeup, or social steps and notice how each one feels. Engage with femininity however you can to determine your comfort level with these changes. 

We hope this article helped you figure out how you want to go about HRT or whether you even want to undertake this step.  

Good luck!!

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