Hormone Therapy for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients

Transgender and gender-diverse individuals may seek gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) to reduce gender dysphoria. Hormone therapy can help individuals achieve physical and emotional changes that align their body with their gender identity. If hormones are desired, gender-diverse individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) most commonly utilize estrogen, with or without an anti-androgen. Individual’s assigned female at birth (AFAB) may seek therapy with testosterone. This chapter will present a review of GAHT treatment options for adults. We will discuss expected physical changes, risks of therapy and suggest areas of uncertainty that require further investigation.