Do Herbal Remedies Work For Gender Dysphoria
However, by December that same year, Id realised that, although the different herbs Id been taking were alleviating my gender dysphoria and desperate need to be female to some extent, such herbal remedies could never be the answer. I just wouldnt be able to achieve the degree of feminisation I needed to alleviate that itch that I couldnt scratch.
Can Feminizing Herbs Really Increase Estrogen
I think it would be more than fair to say that much of what you read regarding the effects that feminization herbs have on the male body is purely anecdotal. There is not nearly enough clinical research nor scientific facts to back up the many claims.
Still, since there are so damn many reports of significant results among the MtF TG communityincluding myselfits hard to not take seriously.
Personally, I dont believe that feminizing herbs should be looked upon as an across-the-board replacement to traditional FHT. Treat them rather as a milder, gentler and a maybe healthier approach to a doctor-prescribed regimen of feminizing hormone therapy.
Or perhaps use them as a herbal-bridge to traditional FHT.
Because feminization herbs are naturally occurringno prescription necessarydoesnt mean that they should be taken lightly. On the contrary, some of the herbs Ive mentioned here are remarkably potent, and deserve the required amount or respect.
If you do choose to experiment with any of these herbs that increase estrogen, my advice would be to monitor your dosage carefully. It can sometimes take a week or two for your body to adapt to them.
The Impact Of Tucking On Sperm
While tucking gives a more desirable presentation for many trans women, it can be damaging to spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production in the testicles. Testicles hang away from the body in the scrotum because sperm production requires a temperature approximately 5.5ºF lower than body temperature. Tucking or wearing tight undergarments increases the heat in the scrotum by up to 5ºF, impairing sperm production. This may be why trans women are more likely to have have poor sperm quality compared to cis men, even before they begin hormone treatment.
The correlation between tucking and low motile sperm count has been directly demonstrated. In fact, the act of tucking has been investigated as a potential contraceptive practice for cis men in several studies. In one study, researchers found that those who practiced tucking had very low motile sperm counts and a 0% pregnancy rate. In another, sperm production decreased by 97% after 2 months of daily tucking.
The good news is that sperm impairment caused by tucking appears to be entirely reversible within several months of pausing the practice. Still, this may be an important consideration for trans women who are considering sperm freezing for potential use later.
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What Happens During Follow
These appointments enable healthcare providers to track your response to treatment. Care includes tests to check for signs of complications. These often include blood tests. Occasionally, you may need a bone density test .
You can expect to see your healthcare provider:
- Every three months during the first year of hormone therapy.
- Every six to 12 months after that.
How Long Does It Take For Hormone Replacement Therapy To Impair Fertility
The effect seems to be dose-dependent. In one study, a low-dose estrogen therapy had no impact on sperm concentration or motility, while a higher-dose regimen resulted in reduced sperm motility after just a few days and reduced sperm concentration after 2 weeks. Fertility preservation, including proactive sperm freezing, can help mitigate this.
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What Health Services Can Planned Parenthood Give Me If Im Transgender
Planned Parenthood health centers are open to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Whether you’re transgender or cisgender, you can visit your local Planned Parenthood health center for STD testing, birth control, physical exams, other sexual and reproductive health services, and referrals. Find your nearest Planned Parenthood health center and learn about the services it offers.
At this time, only some Planned Parenthood health centers are able to offer hormone treatments for trans people. The best way to learn about the services available in your area is to call your nearest Planned Parenthood health center. Below is a list of Planned Parenthood health centers that currently offer trans services.
You Will Experience Huge Irreversible Changes
Let me start by saying that if you do fear huge irreversible changes, it could be an indication of some degree of uncertainty in regards to your gender identity. Because pretty much every transgender person, while scared of starting HRT, does look forward to huge changes!
Now I am not sure how this myth got started given that there are very few permanent changes on feminizing hormones. Just read What are Reversible and Irreversible Changes on Feminizing Hormones? to learn more.
Some permanent changes are mild breast growth and up to 40% shrinkage in testicle size. Not to mention these changes take time to develop!
Dont let this lie hold you back! Changes take time.
The immediate relief you will experience when having the right hormone in your body will help decrease dysphoria. Helping you to move forward with your transition!
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My Transition To Hormone Therapy:
Within five weeks from the initial contact, I unwrapped my first delivery of patches and anti-androgens. After about ten days, I quickly realised that the anti-androgen tablets were not working for me psychologically so I emailed GenderGP. Within 24 hours, I talked with a prescribing nurse who advised me to stop the pills. Within a week, I was driving to Birmingham to learn how to self-inject the triptorelin blocker the best, though most expensive, anti-androgen available.
My life completely changed after that slight bump in the road. The oestrogen worked quickly to alter my body in ways that felt right. Together with the blocker, it completely changed my psychological profile, and any anxiety just melted away.
Since that point two years ago, my transition has continued well. GenderGP is only an email away and has always responded within 24 hours. They insist on regular counselling sessions every six months , as well as routine blood tests. Ive also found a voice therapist through their website.
While I have not come out to the world in general, I can see that this is at least a possibility once I deal with my profoundly deep voice. I only wish I had known about GenderGP sooner.
Unfortunately, my GP surgery declined to work with GenderGP on prescribing, so Ive had to pay for my hormones myself. I was fortunate enough to be able to do so. However, GenderGP evaluates each case individually regarding possible financial help toward costs.
Changing What Bathroom/facilities You Use
Using the bathroom that suits your gender more accurately is another common change trans folks make when they transition. Make sure you know your rights to public accommodations. Similarly, socially transitioning may also mean your living situation shifts: for example, moving into a college dorm whose residents gender aligns with yours.
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What Is Feminizing Hormone Therapy
There are two major components to feminizing HRT: the hormones themselves and hormone blockers, such as anti-androgens. These drugs work together to stimulate female puberty in your body, which can lead to the development of secondary sex characteristics such as breasts and the redistribution of body fat.
Estradiol is used as the feminizing hormone, as it is a synthetic version of the estrogen produced by human ovaries. Taking it can lead to breast growth, softening of the skin, and fat redistribution. For some transfeminine patients, doctors prescribe progesterone during parts of feminizing hormone therapy to increase breast growth and libido.
Anti-androgens are medications that block testosterone production in the body. They can cause shrinkage of the testicles, decreased libido, and thinning of body hair. There are multiple anti-androgen drugs that can be prescribed during feminizing HRT. The most common anti-androgen is Spironolactone, although Bicaludemide, Finasteride, and Dutasteride have also been known to be used.
You do not necessarily need any medications, it all depends on your goals, Ducar says. You can decide to go on anti-androgen medications or not, but it depends on what you want as an outcome.
How Do I Access Feminizing Hormone Therapy Is Hrt Covered By Insurance
Getting a prescription for HRT depends on a number of factors. First, it depends on the provider, the providers location, and if insurance covers the medication.
Ideally, when searching for HRT, patients will have done research online about the treatments effects and have some idea about what they are pursuing. A number of clinics in response have begun operating under the informed consent model.
According to the American Medical Association, informed consent is when communication between a patient and physician results in the patients authorization or agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention. This means that as long as a doctor provides patients with potential side effects and risks and a patient agrees to treatment, the doctor can provide it.
Many clinicians who do not follow the informed consent model require a referral letter and a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria to start HRT. For many patients, this can be a time-intensive and prohibitive barrier to affirming care.
The informed consent model grew out of mistrust that transgender people have had for the medical establishment that has minimized their needs in the past, and has grown in recent years. There is no official, centralized database of informed consent clinics, but when researching a clinic that offers gender-affirming care, many websites will list that providers follow this model. If a clinic does not, it is a good idea to call ahead if you want to understand its methods.
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Doctors And Surgeons Are Seeing More Nonbinary Patients
In 1979, when the first international transgender health care guidelines were published, trans people who sought treatment were under pressure to identify as either male or female to be taken seriously by providers, according to Dr. Asa Radix, senior director of research and education at the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which provides health care to LGBTQ people in New York City.
Since then, attitudes about gender and sexuality have radically evolved. In the 1980s and the 90s, words such as nonbinary, genderqueer and genderfluid, which describe identities outside male and female, started to appear in academic and activist discourse, and have since made their way into mainstream culture.
Over the past decade, some health professionals have shifted away from treating gender identity as a disorder and are focusing instead on dysphoria, which is the distress a person feels as a result of their gender not being recognized. This distress decreases or disappears for many people who take masculinizing or feminizing hormones, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Microdosing hormones is just the latest evolution of this treatment.
Doctors and therapists who specialize in transgender care say nonbinary people have been coming to them for years, though theyve only recently had the language to explain it.
Transitioning Without Hormones Later In Life By Robyn M
by GenderGP | Feb 3, 2022 | Gender Questioning, Non-Binary People, Trans Man, Trans Woman, Trans Youth
In May 2016, I retired from the Fire Service after 30 years as an operational Firefighter and Fire Officer. For the previous 20 years or so, my wife and I had known that I was most likely transgender. But I had managed to separate this side of me from my day-to-day life with very therapeutic private cross-dressing sessions.
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Androgen Blockers / Anti
The role of androgen blockers is to suppress production of testosterone and/or block its effects on the body.
These include:
Cyproterone acetate – the most commonly prescribed form of androgen blocker in Australia. Cypro is not commonly prescribed in the U.S. due to FDA restrictions, but it is a safe and effective form of androgen blocker.
Spironolactone – the second most commonly prescribed form of androgen blocker in Australia. Spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic, which can result in needing to go to the bathroom more than usual.
Finasteride / Duasteride – far less commonly used. They work by blocking conversions of testosterone to the androgen dihydrotestosterone, and are sometimes prescribed to men for male-pattern baldness.
Bicalutamide – an emerging non-steroidal anti-androgen that works by blocking the androgen receptor. This is not PBS-listed.
How Do I Take Feminizing Hormone Therapy
HRT can be prescribed in different forms depending on your doctors advice.
Commonly, patients will begin by taking anti-androgen drugs to reduce testosterone levels before beginning to take estradiol orally, with regular testing to check hormone levels. Estradiol can also be taken transdermally via a patch, lotion, or spray, or via an injection. The precise method used depends on personal preference and on a doctor’s guidance.
During the beginning of HRT, you will have follow-ups with a doctor approximately every three months to check hormone levels. Once this has stabilized, the length between visits increases.
People who inject can do so subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Subcutaneous injections are done with smaller needles, into the subcutaneous layer of tissue right under the skin. Intramuscular injections are done with larger needles, straight into the muscles below the skin.
Each individual should reflect on their own goals of treatment and what they really want when considering HRT, Dallas Ducar, CEO of Transhealth Northampton, tells Them.
Other medications such as anti-androgens and progesterone come in pill form and should be taken regularly based on a schedule prescribed by a medical professional.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the initial effects of HRT should begin within weeks of starting your regimen. However, the full effects of hormone treatment will take over two years to manifest, so some patience is required.
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Mood And Mental Health
Many people find that their mood on feminising hormones is calmer, and that their mental health becomes a lot easier to manage. For some people this is due to the euphoria experienced from starting hormones, for others its just a general sense of calm and better mental health.
This doesnt mean that trans and gender diverse people on hormonal therapy dont still experience mental health issues and require support for them, and theres nothing wrong with needing help. For more information, check out our mental health page.
What Does This Mean And How Is It Possible
Not every person who is transgender undergoes gender-affirming procedures. Of those who do, some may transition medically, nonmedically, or both.
The Beyond Gender Project states that nonmedically transitioning, or social transitioning, means that a person begins living as their gender without medical procedures, such as hormones or gender-affirming surgery. A person may socially transition by changing their name or modifying their appearance.
But gender and gender presentation are social constructs. Gender involves norms, behaviors, appearances, and roles that society associates with men and women. For example, people may expect a woman to have long hair and wear dresses, and may expect men to wear suits and have short hair and facial hair.
A person does not have to conform to societal expectations of gender. For example, a woman may wear trousers and have short hair, and a man may wear skirts and have long hair.
A transgender woman does not have to grow their hair long, wear stereotypically feminine clothing, or act in a way that society expects women to act.
How a person expresses their gender is personal, and socially transitioning does not mean that a person must conform to gender roles and expectations.
A person can socially transition as much or as little as they wish. Transgender women may find all, some, or none, of the following tips helpful while transitioning without hormones.
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What Kinds Of Health Care And Services Do I Need If I Am Transgender
Transgender people have the same health care needs as cisgender people, such as basic physical exams, preventive care, and STD testing. But you may also have special health care concerns and needs. If you wish to transition medically by using hormones or having surgery, expert care is needed to avoid problems.
Accessing health care can be challenging for transgender people. Not all nurses and doctors are sensitive to trans issues or informed about the health care needs of transgender people. You may worry about revealing your gender identity regardless of whether you wish to transition medically. You might not feel comfortable with your body or feel comfortable having a nurse or doctor examine you.
Transgender people who want to transition medically should look for qualified nurses and doctors who can provide the best treatments and care. Unfortunately, these treatments are not easy to access for many people who want them they can be expensive and are often not covered by insurance. You may need a parent or legal guardians permission if youre under 18. Sometimes finding a provider who offers these treatments can be difficult depending on where you live.
Accessing Hormones In Nsw
To assist you in connecting with your doctor, weve prepared a number of templates you can print, complete and take with you. Below you will find a template to let an existing or new doctor know that you want to start or continue hormones, and to update your name, gender marker and pronoun, if required.
Weve also included an example of an informed consent form for initiating feminising hormones, as well as a GP Management Plan template. Your doctor may have a similar forms of their own, or you can print these out to work through together.
You are able to access hormones from your regular GP or Sexual Health Doctor. Hormonal affirmation and advice is not a specialist field, and does not require an expensive or difficult process, or access to a specialist to prescribe.
If you are over 18, you do not have to see a psychologist or psychiatrist in order to access hormones, unless you want to or your doctor feels it would be helpful.
For a list of doctors who support and understand trans people and our needs, check out ACONs Gender Affirming Doctor List, available here.
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