Contact your local LGBT support organization to see if they have any recommendations for a good doctor. Some Planned Parenthood locations in the US offer HRT.
Most doctors will only provide HRT to people 18 or over. Older adolescents may be able to undergo therapy with their parent or guardian’s permission. Talk to your doctor for more information. HRT will increase your risk of blood clots, cancer, and stroke. After a few months on HRT, you will become irreversibly sterile. If you would like to preserve sperm to have a child some day, talk to your doctor about your options.
Some doctors may require that you undergo a psychological evaluation by a therapist. They can refer you to a therapist or you can provide your own. Not all doctors will require this step. That said, many will try to make sure that you have thought through the decision carefully. If you’re unable to undergo HRT for any reason, seek out what you can do to live more fully in your authentic gender when and wherever you feel safe doing so.
Inform your doctor about any history of cardiovascular problems (such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart attacks), deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, or liver disease. Hormone therapy may increase your risk of these. Make sure to tell your doctor about your mental health history as well, including any history of depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis.
Blood count, blood lipid, and blood glucose levels Liver function Diabetes Testosterone levels
Estrogen includes estradiol, estriol, and estrone. It is the “female” hormone. Estrogen comes in pill, patch, or injection form. Anti-androgens (sometimes known as androgen blockers or antagonists) will reduce the effect of testosterone (the “male” hormone) in your body. The most common form is Spironolactone, which comes in pill form. Progesterone may sometimes be used if estrogen is not working in your body. That said, it is not commonly prescribed due to the high risk of side effects.
Most people who start HRT will be on it for the rest of their lives. Start budgeting to include HRT as part of your lifestyle.
Patches are best for women over 40, smokers, and anyone at higher risk of developing blood clots.
Pills may have varying levels of risk and effectiveness. Never take more than your prescribed dose of hormones. Taking more hormones will not speed up your transition, but it can increase your risk of complications.
Injections deliver higher doses of estrogen, but they can also increase the risk of blood clots significantly.
Abdominal pain Nausea or vomiting Headaches or migraines Skin rash
For some people, the lack of sex drive will last for as long as they take HRT.
The average cost of laser hair removal is $235 USD per session. [13] X Research source The average cost of electrolysis is between $50-100 USD an hour.
If you are not already going through therapy, you may want to find a mental health professional who can provide support during the process. Many LGBT centers offer support groups for people who are currently going through or considering HRT.
It used to be that people needed to spend a certain amount of time living publicly in their affirmed gender before going on hormones or being on hormones a certain length of time before having surgery, but it is now understood that these guidelines can be overly limiting and are not a fit for everyone.
The removal of your testicles is a procedure called orchiectomy. After this procedure, you can start taking a lower dose of estrogen. Other surgeries that you might consider include facial feminization surgery (plastic surgery that will make your face look more feminine) and breast augmentation (to give you a fuller bosom).
Gender reassignment surgery may start at $30,000 USD. Facial feminization can start at $5,000 USD and go all the way up to $20,000. The cost of breast augmentation can vary widely but in general it can cost up around $4,000 USD.
