What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy for Trans Women?
HRT is used when transsexuals want to change their bodies. This article will provide a brief overview about HRT and its effects on trans women.
Definition for Trans Woman
To clarify, a "transwoman" or "transwoman" is someone who was born with male genitalia and is changing into a woman. A trans woman is a person born with male genitalia and who transforms into a man. We are not addressing transwomen for the purposes of this article.
What's HRT used for?
In conjunction with sexual reassignment for trans women, hormone replacement therapy can be used. Sexual reassignment surgery involves the actual surgical procedure that changes the person's reproductive organs physically from male to female. HRT can be used to alter "secondary" sexual characteristics. Secondary sexual characteristics are the physical traits outside of the reproductive organs that determine a person's sex. This includes breast development, less body hair, and softening of skin for trans women. The HRT can also be used to slow down or stop the production of testosterone.
Estrogen
Both men and women have different levels of estrogen and testosterone in their bodies. Women have more estrogen than men, but they are both dominated by testosterone. Trans women's HRT involves adding significant amounts of estrogen to areas where there is only a little. Trans women should be able to have the same amount of estrogen as those born as women. Women use estrogen to regulate their menstrual cycles, and other reproductive needs. It is also associated with moods, libido.
Progestogens
These hormones are beneficial to the body in many ways, including skin and libido. They are usually given so that trans women can create their own breasts. These hormones include the mammary glands, alveoli, and so on. Trans women will have real breasts. These breasts are not surgically augmented. YK-11
Anti-androgens
HRT uses anti-androgens to reduce testosterone production. This works best if the patient has not had any sexual reassignment surgery. Anti-androgens don't always stop testosterone production. They actually weaken the hormone, so that it doesn't bind to androgen receptors. This allows the estrogen to take its place.
Puberty
HRT can't reverse the effects of puberty. Laser hair removal or other methods may be required to remove body hairs. The hair will eventually fall off if there is less testosterone in your body. It isn't going to change the effects of puberty. The same goes for puberty, when the bones reach their predetermined size and length. HRT won't change this in any way. The natural shape of the pelvic bones, for example, will not change with HRT. Hormones cannot alter the voice. HRT won't affect a male's voice if it has changed.