By: Bowie Rowan (they/she/he)
Are hormones right for me? You may ask yourself this question at some point along your gender journey. It’s normal to feel uncertain about what’s right for you. Asking questions about gender transition is part of the process for many folks. We’re here to support you while you discover what works best for your body, mind, and heart. If you’re wondering about the benefits and drawbacks of microdosing estrogen or testosterone, these articles will help. (Plus, they were written by folks who have tried it themselves!)
- How do I microdose estrogen for my gender transition?
- How do I microdose testosterone during my transition?
All gender-affirming health care contributes positively to the physical and mental health care for many nonbinary, genderfluid, gender non-conforming (GNC), and trans folks, including those who identify as FTM and MTF. Gender-affirming health care can include hormones, gender confirmation surgery, culturally competent care, and other needs.
Is GAHT the same thing as HRT?
Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, sometimes referred to as hormone replacement therapy or HRT) can play an essential role in easing the experience of gender dysphoria. Some commonly prescribed forms of HRT include estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, T-blockers, and other medications.
Gender-affirming hormones are safe for most people when it’s taken under the supervision of a trained medical professional. While many people consider hormones an essential part of their transition, GAHT is not for everyone. That’s perfectly normal! All kinds of people choose to use hormones—or not—during their gender transition. At Plume, we support everyone’s choice in using the amount of gender-affirming hormones that are right for them. That could be a full dose, a microdose, or no dose at all.
Some people want to use hormones for a while and then change doses or discontinue the medication. Other people use hormones in different doses throughout their transition. And others don’t use hormones at all! Each of these choices is valid. You should feel supported when you are deciding how or whether to use HRT.
Test driving hormones with microdosing
Microdosing is one way trans and nonbinary people figure out what’s best for them with hormones. Microdosing means taking a smaller dose of hormones. Using less than the full dose should create a subtler change. Physical changes, such as changing skin and hair, body fat distribution, and even emotions may happen at a slower pace.
Some trans people may utilize microdosing as a way to ease into GAHT. Some people, particularly those who identify as nonbinary, GNC, or genderfluid, may rely on microdosing to better control how much of an effect hormones have on their appearance, voice, and endocrine system—a more gradual change being more ideal for their particular physical presentation and experience goals.
Like anything, there are benefits and drawbacks to microdosing hormones. Here are some things to consider as you navigate how GAHT may be part of your journey and decide what speed and intensity is best for you!
What are the benefits of microdosing?
Research shows that GAHT has significant, positive impact on the mental health of trans and nonbinary people, particularly when hormone therapy is available earlier in life rather than restricted. Estrogen and testosterone can help transform physical characteristics and embodied experience to be more in line with your internal experience of your gender identity.
But what if you don’t experience yourself as male or female, man or woman? For trans and nonbinary people, microdosing can help bridge the gap between physical characteristics and gender identity without impacting your body in a way that may result in more marked, culturally binary physical characteristics.
Additional research shows that accessing gender-affirming care is particularly challenging for those of us who do not fall easily into the binary. Though not every nonbinary person identifies as trans nor seeks GAHT, access to hormones can be life-changing for many nonbinary and GNC folks. It’s important that someone’s particular needs should be considered and taken seriously throughout their gender journey. Microdosing allows for more flexibility in considering how someone may want to change their body and internal experience to align with an identity that may be fluid and continue to change over time.
Many of the effects of GAHT are irreversible, which can be intimidating to many trans people who are uncertain how they’ll feel about GAHT. Fears and uncertainty about how GAHT might affect you might cause you to avoid this helpful therapy. Microdosing allows you to proceed with care. If you need to go slowly, you can work with your medical provider closely. They will monitor how GAHT is working for you. No matter how you identify or what changes you may seek in your transition, Plume is here to help. We support many people who prefer to microdose.
Are there drawbacks to microdosing?
The stakes of receiving GAHT can feel high, even for trans people whose access to receiving hormones can be life-saving. Though microdosing allows for a bit more control as the process and impact of microdose hormones are more gradual, microdosing may not be the best or most effective option for you.
For example, some people are looking for more immediate relief from the experience of gender dysphoria and will feel better on the full dose. Other people are excited to have the full expression of hormones and don’t want to microdose. Whatever your personal experience is, you should have a care plan that supports your transition goals.
Everyone’s experience of GAHT is different depending on their individual body, their mental health, and other health care needs. A higher dose may actually be the best fit for you, depending on your goals. That is why it is so important to work closely with your medical provider and be transparent about your transition goals, feelings, and any concerns.
Many trans people experience early relief through GAHT and begin to see the impact of estrogen and testosterone on their physical appearance within a few months. However, many changes can take years to fully develop. The dosage and type of hormones that are best for you may need to change over time depending on your desired results or life circumstances. You may want to stop or take a break from GAHT completely or increase your dosage once you have a better sense of how microdosing hormones feels for you.
Conclusion
If you are feeling uncertain about whether or not microdosing hormones is right for you, you can talk to other trans and nonbinary folks about their experiences. Plume’s online support groups are an invaluable resource for connecting with other members who can provide insight into their gender journeys. These peer-run groups are safe, private spaces where people share about how hormones are working for them.
Your Care Team at Plume will be able to help you get the same excellent, expert care however you identify—as nonbinary, FTM, MTF, and the many identities that fall under the transgender umbrella. Any medical provider who you choose to work with should take into account all the health factors that HRT may impact. No matter how microdosing fits into your gender journey, your medical provider should be with you every step of the way to help you navigate your evolving needs and how GAHT might be part of the best care plan for you.
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.
