By: Plume Community Member
- Introduction to gender-affirming estrogen therapy
- How does estrogen affect my fertility as a trans woman?
- The effects on fertility of taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
- Monitoring your fertility and managing your reproductive health
- Is infertility caused by gender-affirming hormones permanent or reversible?
- Infertility and estrogen
- Resources for trans women and transfeminine people who want to have children in the future
- Conclusion
Estrogen therapy is an important part of gender-affirming health care for trans women and transfeminine people. It can help reduce gender dysphoria, reduce testosterone levels, and create a more feminine appearance. It’s important to understand the effects of estrogen therapy on fertility when you’re considering this form of gender-affirming care. This blog post will explore estrogen effects on fertility, the effects of taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and provide resources for trans women and transfeminine people who want to have children in the future.
Introduction to gender-affirming estrogen therapy
Gender-affirming estrogen therapy (GAHT, also sometimes called HRT or hormone replacement therapy), is a type of hormone therapy often used by trans women or transfeminine people. Estrogen is the primary hormone used in GAHT, and it is taken through a patch, injection, or pill. It can help reduce gender dysphoria, reduce testosterone levels, and create a more feminine appearance. It can also help with physical changes such as breast enlargement, redistribution of fat, and skin changes.
Estrogen therapy has many benefits for trans women and transfeminine people, but it can also have some side effects. One of the most important side effects to consider is the impact of estrogen therapy on fertility.
How does estrogen affect my fertility as a trans woman?
Estrogen can have a significant impact on fertility. Estrogen therapy can reduce sperm count, which can make it difficult to conceive naturally. In some cases, people who use estrogen choose to get an orchiectomy, which is the removal of the testicles. This can result in permanent infertility.
Trans women and transfeminine people who are taking estrogen may not be able to conceive naturally—that is, without additional fertility support such as hormone treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF), gestational donors, or other supports.
The effects on fertility of taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
When taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), it is important to understand the effects on fertility. Estrogen can reduce sperm count, decreasing the likelihood of creating a pregnancy. In addition, estrogen can reduce testosterone levels, which can affect libido and sexual function.
It is important to note that these effects may be reversible. If a person stops taking estrogen, testosterone levels may eventually return to normal, and sperm count may increase. However, it is important to talk to a health care provider about the effects of stopping estrogen therapy before making any decisions.
Monitoring your fertility and managing your reproductive health
When considering taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy, it is important to consider your future family plans. If you want to have children in the future, it is important to take steps to monitor your fertility and manage your reproductive health.
One of the best ways to monitor your fertility and manage your reproductive health is to see a trans-inclusive fertility specialist. A trans-inclusive fertility specialist can help you understand the effects of estrogen therapy on your fertility and provide advice on how to best manage your reproductive health. They can also provide advice on fertility treatments and options that may be available to you.
If you are considering taking estrogen and want to have children in the future, it is also important to consider banking genetic material. Banking genetic material is a way to preserve your fertility and have the option of using it in the future if you want to have children.
Is infertility caused by gender-affirming hormones permanent or reversible?
The effects of estrogen on fertility are not always permanent. If a person stops taking estrogen, their testosterone levels may return to normal and their sperm count may increase. However, it is important to talk to a health care provider about the effects of stopping estrogen therapy before making any decisions.
In some cases, it may be possible to reverse the effects of estrogen on fertility. If sperm count has been reduced as a result of estrogen therapy, it may be possible to increase it through medication or lifestyle changes. It is important to talk to a health care provider about these options before making any decisions.
Infertility and estrogen
It is important to understand the effects of estrogen on fertility when considering taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy. Estrogen can reduce sperm count and change your sexual function, which can result in infertility. While these effects may be reversible, it is important to talk to a health care provider about the effects of stopping estrogen therapy before making any decisions.
It is also important to consider your future family plans when taking estrogen. If you want to have children in the future, it is important to take steps to monitor your fertility and manage your reproductive health. This includes seeing a trans-inclusive fertility specialist and considering banking genetic material.
Resources for trans women and transfeminine people who want to have children in the future
If you are a trans woman or transfeminine person and want to have children in the future, there are resources available to help. There are many trans-inclusive fertility services available, as well as resources for banking genetic material. Here are some resources that can help you plan for your future family:
- Fertility clinics that specialize in trans-inclusive care: There are many fertility clinics that specialize in trans-inclusive care. These clinics can provide advice on fertility treatments and options that may be available to you.
- Banking genetic material: Banking genetic material is a way to preserve your fertility and have the option of using it in the future if you want to have children.
- Support groups: There are many support groups available for trans people who want to have children in the future. These groups can provide support and advice on issues related to fertility and parenting.
- Online resources: There are many online resources available for trans people who want to have children in the future. These resources can provide information on fertility treatments, banking genetic material, and other issues related to parenting.
Conclusion
Estrogen gender-affirming hormones can be an important part of gender-affirming health care for trans women and transfeminine people. This medication can help reduce gender dysphoria, reduce testosterone levels, and create a more feminine appearance. It’s important to understand the effects of estrogen therapy on fertility when you’re considering this form of gender-affirming care.
Estrogen can reduce sperm count and change your sexual function, which can result in infertility. These effects may be reversible, but it is important to talk to a health care provider about the effects of stopping estrogen therapy before making any decisions.
Over time, estrogen causes the levels of testosterone in the body to drop. This then causes changes to other body parts that are important in allowing pregnancy to occur. It isn’t possible to predict who this will occur in: there are many factors that can contribute to infertility outside of taking estrogen. If preserving fertility (having children with your own genetic material in some way) is important to you, we strongly encourage you to see a reproductive specialist regarding preserving your genetic material (such as sperm). Then, you may be able to contribute your genetic material to a pregnancy later.
If you are considering taking estrogen and want to have children in the future, it is important to take steps to monitor your fertility and manage your reproductive health. This includes seeing a trans-inclusive fertility specialist and considering banking genetic material. There are also many resources available for trans women and transfeminine people who want to have children in the future.
Ready to start estrogen and make Plume your gender-affirming health care home? Click here to become a Member today.
