By: Plume Community Member
- Introduction to gender-affirming estrogen therapy
- How does Plume support my long-term health and my transition goals?
- The risks of taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
- Monitoring your health with regular lab work
- Blood clots, heart disease, and estrogenBlood clots, heart disease, and estrogen
- Infertility and estrogen
- Should I be worried about my health if I want to start estrogen?
- Making an informed decision about starting estrogen
- What should every transgender or nonbinary person know before starting gender-affirming hormones like estrogen?
- Conclusion
Whether you are transgender or nonbinary, you may have heard of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes also called HRT or hormone replacement therapy) and its potential to help you transition. GAHT is often used to refer to both estrogen and testosterone, but in this article we will focus on estrogen, specifically. Taking estrogen as a part of gender-affirming hormone therapy is a big decision and a major milestone for many trans people. It is important to understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen before you start the process.
Introduction to gender-affirming estrogen therapy
Gender-affirming estrogen therapy (GAHT) is a hormone therapy used by transgender and nonbinary people to help them transition. Estrogen helps to reshape the body by developing characteristics like breasts and moving body fat to create a more “feminine” body shape. It can also change the texture and growth pattern of facial and body hair. Estrogen is usually taken in pill form, but can also be administered through injections, gels, and patches.
At Plume, we understand that gender-affirming hormone therapy is a personal decision, and we want to make sure that our Members have access to the best care possible. That’s why we provide comprehensive support to our members on their journey to transition. We provide access to a wide range of medications, including estrogen, progesterone, and T-blockers. We also provide education and support on what changes to expect during the transition process.
How does Plume support my long-term health and my transition goals?
At Plume, we take your long-term health and transition goals seriously. We provide a comprehensive approach to care, which includes regular lab work to monitor your health. We also offer support from our team of experts, including your Care Team. We understand that transitioning is an important and deeply personal process, and we strive to provide the best care possible.
In addition to providing access to gender-affirming medications, Plume also offers education and support. We provide access to resources that can help you understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen. We also connect you with support groups and other community members who can provide support and guidance throughout your transition.
The risks of taking estrogen as gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
Taking estrogen as part of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) carries some risks. It is important to understand the potential risks before you start taking estrogen. Some of the risks of taking estrogen include:
- Blood clots
- Heart disease
- Infertility
It is also important to note that the risks vary depending on age, medical history, and other factors. You will discuss any of your issues or concerns in your first Plume appointment. If you have questions or new concerns, you can always contact your Plume Care Team through our secure app.
Monitoring your health with regular lab work
One of the most important things to remember when taking estrogen is to make sure you are getting regular lab work. This will help to make sure that your hormone levels are stable and that your health is not being adversely affected by the medication. Regular lab work can also help to detect any potential side effects or complications. Your Care Team will order labs to support you on your journey.
At Plume, we believe that regular lab work is an important part of staying healthy. We keep your records current by ordering lab work and other monitoring tests that can help you stay healthy while taking estrogen. We also provide education and support on how to interpret the results and make any necessary changes.
Blood clots, heart disease, and estrogen
One of the potential risks of taking estrogen is the risk of blood clots and heart disease. Estrogen can increase the risk of developing blood clots, which can lead to stroke, heart attack, and other serious health complications. Estrogen can also increase the risk of developing heart disease, which can lead to stroke, heart attack, and other serious health complications.
The risk of developing blood clots or heart disease is higher in people who are older, have poor cardiac health, or have a history of smoking. It is important to talk to your Care Team if you have any of these risk factors before starting estrogen. Your Care Team can help you to weigh the risks and benefits of taking estrogen and make an informed decision.
Infertility and estrogen
Another potential risk of taking estrogen is infertility. Estrogen can cause a decrease in fertility, which means that it may be difficult to initiate a pregnancy if you are taking estrogen. If you are considering having children in the future, it is important to talk to your Care Team before starting estrogen.
Your Care Team can help you to weigh the risks and benefits of taking estrogen and make an informed decision. In some cases, it may be possible to take a medication that can help to preserve your fertility while still taking estrogen to help with your transition.
Should I be worried about my health if I want to start estrogen?
It is normal to be concerned about your health when considering taking estrogen. However, it is important to remember that taking estrogen can be a safe and beneficial part of gender-affirming hormone therapy. It is important to talk to your Care Team about the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen before you make a decision.
At Plume, we understand the importance of making an informed decision about taking estrogen. We provide access to medications and resources that can help you understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen. We also provide access to experts who can provide education and support throughout the process.
Making an informed decision about starting estrogen
It is important to make an informed decision when considering taking estrogen. It is important to talk to your Care Team about the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen before you make a decision. Your Care Team can help you to weigh the risks and benefits and make an informed decision.
At Plume, we provide access to medications and resources that can help you understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen. We also provide access to experts who can provide education and support throughout the process.
What should every transgender or nonbinary person know before starting gender-affirming hormones like estrogen?
Before starting gender-affirming hormones like estrogen, it is important to understand the potential risks and benefits of taking the medication. It is also important to talk to your Care Team about the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen before you make a decision.
At Plume, we understand that taking estrogen is a personal decision, and we strive to provide the best care possible. We provide access to medications and resources that can help you understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen. We also provide access to experts who can provide education and support throughout the process.
Ready to start estrogen and make Plume your gender-affirming health care home? Click here to become a Member today.
Conclusion
Taking estrogen as part of gender-affirming hormone therapy is a big decision and one that is an exciting milestone in your gender transition. It is important to understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen before you start the process. At Plume, we understand that taking estrogen or any gender-affirming hormone medication is a personal decision, and we strive to provide the best care possible. We provide access to medications and resources that can help you understand the potential risks and benefits of taking estrogen. We also provide access to experts who can provide education and support throughout the process.
Learn more about your options and start your customized care plan with Plume today!
