Masculinizing Hormone Therapy
For transgender or non-binary patients who are seeking masculinizing changes, the main form of hormonal treatment is testosterone. The decision to take testosterone is made by the patient in conjunction with their family, medical provider, and mental health provider. The effects of testosterone occur gradually and some are permanent while others are not. The amount of time that a person may take testosterone can vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to download some frequently asked questions.
Click here for the Spanish version.
Testosterone has two main jobs:
1) It causes masculinizing changes to occur throughout the body.
2) It suppresses the production of estrogen. Some of the changes caused by testosterone are permanent (they would remain if testosterone was stopped), and other changes are reversible.
Testosterone causes voice deepening, clitoral growth, body/facial hair growth and sometimes male-pattern balding (also influenced by age, genetics). Testosterone 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.