HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Testosterone is typically used as masculinizing HRT. It can be administered via injection (weekly or biweekly), cream/gel (daily), or patch (1 per 3-4 days). Oral administration is not reccomended. Effects can be permanent (stay even if you cease use) or conditional (revert if you cease use).

Permanent effects can include:

• increased and coarser body hair
• lowered voice
• clitoral growth
• male pattern baldness
• height increase (more common if younger)
• currently unknown/inconsistent fertility effects

Conditional effects can include:

• cessation of menstruation (no or limited periods)
• body fat redistribution (more in abdomen, reduced in hips, thighs, chest)
• increased muscle mass
• acne/increased skin oiliness
• increased appetite, sweat, and libido
• vaginal atrophy (treatable)

a note: every body is different. Not everyone experiences every effect of HRT, and some also have different experiences with permanence vs not. This applies to T as well as all hormones to be discussed next.

Estrogen is typically used as feminizing HRT. It can be administered via injection (weekly or biweekly), orally (daily), or patch (1 per 3-4 days). Effects can be permanent or conditional, just like testosterone. Estrogen does not change the voice, however.

Permanent effects can include:

• breast growth
• decreased sperm production/fertility (minimally studied)
• height decrease (more common if younger)
• shrinking of hands and feet

Condiional effects can include

• decreased muscle mass
• body fat redistribution (more in thighs, hips, chest, reduced in abdomen)
• softening of skin and reduced acne
• decreased libido (but not appetite! YOU MUST EAT ON HRT!)
• softening of facial features
• shrinking and potential atrophy of the penis (treatable)
• slowing, stopping, and/or reversal of hair loss

Progesterone is typically used alongside estrogen, not on its own. Not all people on E are on Prog, but most people on Prog are on E. Progesterone effects are less thoroughly studied, but anecdotal evidence suggests it improves breast growth, increases libido, and increases fat and weight. Prog is almost always taken orally or via cream/gel.