
Hormone Replacement Therapy For A Transman
Transmen HRT
Masculinising hormone therapy is used by transmen and transmasculine people to induce physical changes in the body and masculinise it. This is done to affirm gender identity by getting rid of dysphoria and feeling comfortable in our own body.
WHY
HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy is used by trans people to introduce hormones into their bodies that match the gender identity they identify with. This not only will it make the trans person more comfortable with their body but it will also help them in dealing with their dysphoria.
HOW
- The first step in starting Hormone Replacement Therapy is to get a Gender Dysphoria or GD letter from a psychiatrist. For this, you would have to book a session and talk through your dysphoria.
Make sure that you find a psychiatrist who isn’t transphobic. Here’s how to look for the red flags.
The cost of these sessions could range between 500-2000rs. - Secondly, you have to take the GD letter and visit an endocrinologist. The endocrinologist might suggest some regular checkups like blood tests and such to see if you are healthy i.e. your thyroid, haemoglobin, etc. are in check. If all goes well then they will start the HRT which might start at 100mg-250mg, depending on the endocrinologist.
The cost of the tests could be anywhere from 1500-5000rs.
Another important thing to note here is that the roles could be reversed and the psychiatrist might want a reference from your endocrinologist- it all depends on the doctor. Unfortunately there is no standardize procedure or direction given by government in regards to this.
WHAT
The prescription of the hormone could be either as an injection which has to be taken on the muscle, a patch with can be applied on the skin or a gel that can also be applied on the skin.
TESTOSTERONE
The masculinizing hormone is called Testosterone which helps in masculinizing the transmens’ body.
CHANGES
There are many changes that are brought forth by taking these masculinizing hormones. Your voice gets manly, your periods stop, your beard grows, you have mood swings in the beginning. The pills also iIncrease in libido, masculinise your skin and smell and increase the size of the clitoris. Please note these changes are subjective these changes may happen to some people and may happen to people at different time interval. For some people it might not happen at all, it all depends on the genes and environmental factors.
SIDE EFFECTS
HRT is seen to be safe and effective in treating dysphoria and is a great first step in starting to think about the transition process.
But, there are also certain side effects in the worst-case scenario like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. They can also start causing or worsening migraines and headaches. And lastly, it increases red blood cells and haemoglobin. That is why it is suggested that quarterly or half yearly keep checking the blood composition and do other health tests and if there is something troubling it is good to always consult an endocrinologist about it.
IT WILL NOT
However, taking HRT will help you achieve a penis or help you in the ability to produce sperm. It will also not help you grow taller after a certain age.
HRT is an important decision in a transpersons life and it is important that this decision is taken with utmost care and consideration. This is the first step to the rest of your life and so it is extremely vital to remember everything that it entails.