Feminizing Hormone Therapy
For transgender or non-binary patients who are seeking feminizing changes, the main form of hormonal treatment is estrogen. Estrogen is often used in conjunction with other medications that can help to decrease the effects of testosterone. The decision to take estrogen is made by the patient in conjunction with their family, medical provider, and mental health provider. The effects of estrogen occur gradually and some are permanent while others are not. The amount of time that a person may take estrogen can vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to download some frequently asked questions.
Click here for the Spanish version.
Estrogen has two main jobs:
1) It causes feminizing changes throughout the body.
2) It suppresses the production of testosterone. Some of the changes caused by estrogen arI permanent (they would remain if estrogen was stopped), and other changes are not.
Breast development caused by estrogen is permanent. Additionally, estrogen may irreversibly affect fertility. Desires for fertility should be considered prior to starting hormones, and for those seeking fertility preservation (or education about fertility preservation), referrals can be made to Lurie Children’s Fertility Preservation Program.
Labs (bloodwork) are collected prior to starting hormones and every 3 months for the first year of treatment. In the second year, labs are checked every 6 months. Tests that are monitored include cholesterol, liver tests and hormone levels, including prolactin. These labs can be drawn at Lurie Children’s or at a local facility.