Transgender Male to Female Hormone Therapy. What to Expect

A guide to gender-affirming care

Gender identity is an innate sense of feeling different than one’s anatomy. Estrogen Hormone Therapy is a possible way to transition from a male to a female. People want the changes from hormone therapy to happen rapidly, but there are some expectations, long-term considerations, medications, and other factors that need to be understood. These factors can include genetics, a person’s age when taking the hormone therapy, and the overall state of health of a patient.

Changes from Estrogen Hormone Therapy

There are four main stages that the changes happen in as the Estrogen Hormone Therapy continues.

Physical Changes

As Estrogen Hormone Therapy progresses, the skin can become thinner and drier. Pores produce less oil and become smaller. You may notice that you develop cuts or bruises more often and the odor from your urine and sweat change. You may sweat less as well.

You may experience temperature and pain differently due to a difference in touch. Small ‘buds’ can develop under the nipples within a few weeks. Touching them may result in slight pain, and they can also look uneven. This is a normal process for breast development, and the pain will diminish over the next few months. The size and shape of the breasts can vary from person to person.

The body also begins to redistribute fat to different parts of the body. Fat will collect around the thighs and hips while the muscles on the legs and ar