Actually Understand Hormone Replacement Therapy

For transgender and nonbinary people, hormone replacement therapy has become one of the standards of care. But what is it, exactly? And what can people receiving the therapy expect? SciShow has the answers.

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[sammysamlovescats]

I'm not saying HRT will do this for everyone obviously, but just saying that after years of HRT, I went from "Several attempts on my own life" to no longer fitting the diagnostic criteria for depression

[roxannemoore]

I would like to point out a minor correction. While feminising HRT for the menopause became widespread medical practice before use on trans women did (circa 1940). HRT was first used as a way to medically transition by the Hirschfield institute in Germany circa 1920. His research was pioneering, and the foundation of a lot of modern trans medicine but it didn't make it to prominence in the global medical community at the time, because the Nazis raided the institute and burned its research library. In fact, if you've seen an image of a Nazi book burning in a history book, it's probably from the Hirschfield one.

[Charmlethehedgehog]

something I think should've been noted FAR MORE BOLDLY/EXPLICITLY/ISOLATED is that CIS folk are why HRT exists in the first place. There are FAR FAR FAR FAR more cis folk on HRT than trans folk. Feminizing HRT was originally made to combat menopause, iirc. Masculizing HRT was made for men who either didn't go through puberty at all or for who have Gynecomastia iirc. Puberty blockers, like they said in the video, was made to STOP KIDS from going into puberty as SMALL CHILDREN (like, 6yr olds starting puberty NEED those blockers. I've known people who had to go through puberty so early and they were MISERABLE despite being CIS).

These medications are useful for trans AND cis folk just for two WILDLY different reasons; and legislation that's trying to ban it is trying to hurt such a tiny minority that they're shooting their cis citizens in the foot over it.

[stdesy]

Just a note: testosterone suppression is not always required for trans female HRT. Often estrogen by itself can cause the production of testosterone to shut down.

[FRTJS]

10:33 "you do need to make sure it dries all the way so it doesn't spread to other members of your household who didn't concent to treatment" would put a whole new meaning to manspreading. I'll see myself out.

[marakahn]

As a trans woman who started on estrogen monotherapy and more recently progesterone supplements, t-blockers are NOT always necessary for suppressing testosterone. Especially using injections and at higher dosages, estrogen will naturally suppress testosterone on its own. My personal testosterone levels have been below cis female range since I got my levels checked only 3 months into starting E2 monotherapy.

[LillieMakesVideos]

can’t believe they forgot to mention the best change from estrogen: you gain the ability to double jump

[DouglasWatt]

I understand why you all choose to base this on the WPATH standards, but the latest research has moved faster than the WPATH standards, and it would have been nice to see some acknowledgment of that fact. Also, there is monotherapy for transfemale HRT using just estradiol, and is actively prescribed over use of anti-androgens in some countries.

[EmilyFara]

Entered depression at 11. Tried to end it at 17. Suffered through life till 35, tried to end it again. Finally looked at myself what was wrong with me, got HRT and I don't feel like ending it anymore. I'm pretty happy now. I GOT FEELINGS AGAIN! So weird. So happy, and that alone is weird now.

[Aquatendo]

I’d like to add that Progesterone can do things beyond just breast growth. It improved my mental health significantly, whereas Estrogen alone did not help me in that department. I’ve heard similar stories from other people, but also stories where Progesterone made them feel worse. As always, YMMV so talk to your doctor

[laurenhallock]

for feminizing hormone therapy:(i am not a doctor but i am a trans woman whose been transitioning for 5 years)

spiro is not a great option for androgen blocker, it works but it actually stunts potential for breast growth, don’t start with spiro if you can help it (learned this the hard way)

progesterone definitely does work for breast growth, idk what this person is saying, but for best results don’t start this right away, mixed reports that administering progesterone rectally yields better results

monotherapy is also an option( not using a androgen blocker) your body will develop based on your dominant hormone

finasteride is a good option for regaining hair loss, but it does not function as a total androgen blocker, it only blocks the DHT in testosterone that causes balding, all other effects are still there

FINALLY
find a trans friendly, trans-educated doctor that actually knows what they are doing, just because an endocrinologist will treat you doesn’t mean they should treat you, talk to other trans people in your area, do research, not only will it be a better experience but your results will be better if your doctor has experience and knows how to treat trans people

[MsSunnyDenise]

You know, there was a time when the only people taking HRT were old women going through menopause. As an old woman going through menopause, I hafta say it’s nice to know I’m not the only one out here taking HRTs.

[kevinrice]

I’m a cisgender male, and honestly I’m just curious about the whole trans thing. I find it fascinating. I never really understood the controversy, i can see why it is confusing to some people, but being prejudice towards these people is no different to me than being racist or homophobic or a bully. Just small minded, needless hatred. If there’s something we don’t understand about other people, we should try to be curious and understand it! Especially if it doesn’t get in the way of our personal daily lives. If someone wanted sympathy for being a serial killer or a violent person then it would be understandable to look at it as a problem that needs to be gone asap. Why would anyone care if someone wants to make adjustments to their gender in order to feel more safe and comfortable? Like seriously it’s not even anyone else’s business. If you want to hate something, might I suggest hating the scumbags that cook fentanyl, or world leaders that start pointless wars that kill thousands of people. I mean really don’t we have more important things to criticize?

[websterleone]

Re progesterone: I started progesterone and my tits doubled in size. YMMV. Also all the clot stuff is from studies with non-bioidentical progesterone. The increased risk is basically saying you have the same risk as cis-women. 🤷‍♀

[ThisisI.T.]

Whoever is moderating this comment section is a saint, and to everyone dropping positive comments, y'all are warming this trans girl's heart. It's nice to see that people into learning are also kind and accepting

[nancyreid]

I clicked on this to get more information on post-menopausal HRT, because that’s where I am. Stayed for the usual great information on a different topic altogether; well done!

[FunSam]

You know what? I learned stuff. And that's progress.

[liam_hurlburt]

small correction: 17β-estradiol is what's shown at 5:07, while what's shown at 5:21 is estradiol cypionate, a common prodrug of 17β-estradiol

[tranmthu]

As a cis woman I started hormonal birth control with 25 to stop my period as my PCOS causes it not to be periodic anyway. I had too many side effects on the regular BC pills but now I'm taking dienogest as a stand alone medication to treat a possible case of endometriosis and it works better. Trans and nb folks should not have to jump through hoops to get hormonal care similar to what cis people can get already.
I'm lucky that my insurance covers my meds because of endometriosis so it's only 5€ for 3x28 pills, but what I really want is a hysterectomy. Too bad sexism makes it really difficult to get that done as doctors still believe all women want kids or should consider their future spouse might want kids. Our society needs to overcome its belief in the gender binary and gendered stereotypes in order to offer better health care for all.

[amandacapsicum]

The problem with most of the studies on progesterone affecting breast growth is that the measurements taken in the studies do not align with the anecdotally reported changes in breast development. Trans women tend to report rounding of the breasts, whereas the studies are checking a band measurement (as in a bra fitting). It seems like more science needs to be done for us to say either way whether the anecdotal rounding is causally linked to the progesterone, or simply caused by being on HRT for a long time / gaining weight.