Complementary Acupuncture Consult in Coronado
Schedule Your Complimentary Acupuncture Consult!
Fill out the form below to schedule your Acupuncture consultation.
Transgender Hormone Therapy In Coronado
Every transgender individual doesn’t choose to undergo transgender hormone therapy. At Peak Health Group, we believe those who do should have all the information they need regarding their treatment. Through our integrated health services, we work in relationship with our patients to find the best, least intrusive solutions for treating the individual as a whole.
What to Expect from Transgender Hormone Therapy
Most of us think of transgenders as people who make the transition from female to male or from male to female. However, some nonconforming individuals undergo hormone therapy to achieve a balance of their sex hormones instead of achieving a feminine or masculine identity. In any case, hormone therapy is either feminizing or masculinizing. Feminizing hormone therapy consists of estrogen’s and antiandrogens, while masculinizing hormone therapy consists of androgen’s. The most well-known androgen is testosterone.
Antiandrogens
Androgens are male sex hormones found in both men and women. The difference is that they occur at much higher levels in men. These hormones play a big role in developing male traits and reproduction. Testosterone is the most familiar androgen.
In women, androgens are converted into estrogens. Estrogen plays a role in the development of feminine characteristics, helps regulate the menstrual cycle, and plays a role in reproduction.
Antiandrogens are drugs that block androgens. They are given to MTF patients during transgender hormone therapy to block the actions of testosterone and other androgens. This suppresses masculine characteristics, while estrogen causes female characteristics to develop. They might also be used as part of feminizing therapy for transgender women or to block puberty in transgender girls.
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are created in a lab. They have a very similar structure to those made by the human body. Unlike synthetic hormones, they don’t have any additional features that make them identifiable. The body recognizes them as natural hormones, and they show up on lab tests the same as the hormones already in your body. That makes it easier to track your hormone levels throughout treatment.
The use of bio-identical hormones is also fairly new in both transgender and replacement hormone therapies. Many people prefer the idea of the natural structure of bioidentical hormones in place of synthetic ones. This is especially true for patients receiving estrogen treatment. Traditional estrogen was conjugated from pregnant mare’s urine.
Newer natural hormones derived from various animal, plant, and mineral sources were more natural. But, these hormones still varied from the natural estrogen produced in the body. Only bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as human hormones.
The primary class of estrogen used for feminizing treatment is 17-beta estradiol, a bioidentical hormone. It is usually delivered via a transdermal patch or from a sublingual tablet.
All testosterone preparations used in the U.S. are bioidentical. They are delivered through injections or with topical preparations.
Support and monitoring during transgender hormone therapy allow doctors to ensure the safety and ongoing health of the individual. Some of the side effects that are common during therapy include:
Male To Female Treatment
Female To Male Treatment
Breast growth
Reduction in occurrence or coarseness of body hair
Softening of the skin
Changes in the distribution of body fat
Changes in emotions
A decline in libido
Reduction of muscle mass and strength of the upper body
Decrease in erections
Testicular shrinkage and cessation of spermatogenesis
Change in the distribution of body fat
Deepening voice
Increased skin oiliness and body odor
Increase hair growth
Increased muscle mass
Vaginal and vulval atrophy
Atrophy of breasts
Clitoral enlargement
Cessation of menstruation
Changes resulting from hormone therapy begin in both genders within the first few months of treatment. It usually takes three to five years to achieve maximum results. It’s important to have ready access to the doctors at Peak Health Group in case issues or questions arise.
Monitoring begins prior to hormone therapy, too. MTF patients should be monitored for potassium levels if they are taking certain drugs. They should have a bone mineral density (BMD) screening prior to starting therapy if they are at risk for osteoporosis. All MTF patients should be screened for breast and prostate cancer as appropriate.
FTM patients should also have a BMD prior to starting hormone therapy if they are at risk for osteoporosis. Those with cervixes or breasts should be screened as appropriate.
What’s New In Transgender Hormone Therapy
The End Goal Is To Make You Feel Better, No Matter What The AgeWhat’s New In Transgender Hormone Therapy
Social acceptance and awareness of transgender individuals have resulted in more people presenting for medical care. They are increasingly likely to seek out specialists for ongoing medical treatment and support throughout their transition and beyond. Better medical care results in improvements in physical and mental health.
In order to give transgender patients the best medical care, they need better access to health care. Today, the medical industry is achieving this goal by making hormone therapy available to doctors in multiple specialties. Patients aren’t limited to going to one type of doctor who only handles a streamlined range of needs.
Better care also means targeting hormone therapy to closely match the normal ranges in the desired gender. For example, the average male has a testosterone level of 300 to 1000 ng/dl. That would be the goal when administering testosterone to an FTM individual. In an MTF, the goal is to decrease testosterone levels to the normal range of MTF to the normal female range of 30-100 ng/dl. At the same time, they will receive antiandrogens and estrogen to bring estrogen levels to below-normal levels.
Getting Started with Transgender Hormone Therapy In Coronado
If you’re considering hormone therapy, consider Peak Health Group for your therapy needs. Our integrative approach to healthcare gives you access to safe, evidence-based treatment options. We build relationships with our patients and monitor their progress throughout the treatment. Our holistic approach addresses more than the state of your body. We also consider your mind, your surroundings, and your goals for the future.
Both MTF and FTM patients should be monitored every three months during the first year and then every six to 12 months. Your doctor will talk with you about scheduling regular visits and any changes to look for that you should report. The desired changes usually occur within 18 to 24 months. The use of an antiandrogen helps speed up the process and shortens the therapy period.