By: Bowie Rowan (they/she/he)
Hormone maintenance is an essential aspect of taking good care of yourself throughout your gender transition. If gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, also called HRT or hormone replacement therapy) is part of your care plan, this article will help you understand how to maintain the best possible care while you transition.
Whether you’re femme or masc or identify as FTM or MTF or gender non-conforming, you may be wondering how to maintain your hormonal changes. Your needs, transition goals, or other factors can evolve throughout various chapters of your transition. For people using either gender-affirming estrogen or testosterone, know that hormones impact your endocrine system. They are powerful medications that affect literally every system of your body, including your emotions! Because of this, hormonal changes can cause appetite changes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
So, let’s talk about some ways to do that. Maybe you’ve just gone to the pharmacy and picked up your first dose of medication. Maybe you are many months or years into your journey and are considering making a change. Maybe you’re just doing research as you plan to start hormones! This article offers suggestions for people throughout their transition.
Get used to taking your medication consistently
After working with a medical professional on the care plan that’s best for you, you will likely take your hormones using injections, patches, oral pills, or topical creams. Your medication will hopefully help you with feeling more comfortable and at home within yourself while your body and brain change!
Each hormonal medication impacts your body and endocrine system. And each type of hormone, such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, or T-blockers, has their own unique impact. Because of this, your hormonal transition will be a unique experience based on your specific body, mental health needs, and goals. The changes you want to see and experience may take only a few months, such as facial hair growth or fewer erections. Other changes will take 3-5 years, such as breast development or growing a full beard.
Maintaining consistent hormone use is essential for more significant hormonal changes that can take years to fully develop, including things like body fat redistribution and breast development. Try to take your medication as consistently as possible. (For example, if you inject T once a week, you might take it on the same day of the week, at the same time of day. One of my friends sets an alarm on his phone to remind him that “T time” is noon on Mondays.)
It’s really important to follow your doctor’s instructions about your medication. Being consistent about when you take your hormones can support you by lessening any mood changes or other effects of dropping hormone levels. The more consistent you are, the easier it will be for your body to adjust to all the changes taking place. Your Care Team is here to support you throughout the process.
Microdosing is always an option
Most people begin hormones by starting with a smaller dose. This is sometimes referred to as a microdose, “starter dose,” or “nonbinary dose.” Microdosing is used for people who want to experience more gradual changes throughout their transition. A higher dose will have a more significant physical and mental impact, with the expression of the hormones showing up sooner and stronger.
People microdose at different points of their transitions, not just in the beginning. For example, someone who was prescribed the full dose of E might want to change to microdosing after a few years. This type of change is perfectly normal. Remember that the amount of hormones you take isn’t what makes your gender identity valid.
You may discover that at some point you want to slow down the impact the hormones are having on your brain and body. You may want to try lowering your dose or changing the method in which you’re receiving hormones. Life may also bring unexpected surprises around family planning or other health issues. When these things come up, make sure you talk to your doctor about whether your dose of gender-affirming hormones will still work for you.
Though hormones can play an essential and life-saving role for many folks, they’re not for everyone. You may begin GAHT and decide that ultimately it’s not right for you—now or ever—in your gender journey. At Plume, we understand that an affirming dose of hormones can be a full dose, a microdose, or no hormones at all!
Maintaining your health through your gender journey is part of the process. You can work with your doctor as you discover what works best for you in supporting and affirming your most authentic self. We’re here to help and ensure you have whatever care is best for you along the way—including medication maintenance and all the changes that may include throughout your transition and ongoing evolution.
Bowie Rowan (they/she/he) is a writer and multimedia artist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their work has previously appeared at Insider, Electric Literature, the Normal School, the Missouri Review, the Fabulist, and elsewhere. They love to write about failure at Ask a Failure and interview other writers on Swell. Currently, they’re seeking representation for their first novel and working on a memoir about travel, grief, gender, the environment, and joy. You can experience more of Bowie’s work and get in touch at bowierowan.com.
