The topic may sound confusing, but believe me, you are not mistaken. Many people like to think that taking hormones is an easy thing, buying hormone drugs to take by themselves, but in reality, it is very dangerous to the body!
However, it is not difficult if you take hormones the right way and receive close medical supervision. Safe hormone therapy can reduce side effects or help you understand what suits your body better, rather than having misconceptions that cause harm later.
Let’s learn about hormone therapy with Dr. Wivat Rodprasert, an endocrinologist and metabolism specialist who studied for a PhD in men’s health in Finland, who has compiled common questions about hormone therapy for you.
When should hormone therapy start for gender reassignment surgery?
If you are sure you want to take hormones, you can start from the age of 18-20 years. However, if teenagers want to start earlier, parental consent is required.
Besides the age criteria, other assessments are also necessary, such as:
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Assessment of underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which can be affected by long-term hormone adjustment side effects
Is it dangerous to buy hormone drugs and take them by yourself?
Let me tell you, “it is definitely dangerous” because high doses of hormones cause side effects on the body. Therefore, before starting hormone therapy, you should always have a medical evaluation and choose the appropriate type and dosage of hormones to reduce long-term side effects.
After gender reassignment, do you have to take hormones for life?
This is a difficult question to answer because there is no research supporting how long hormone therapy should continue. However, once you start hormone therapy, you should continue it until you get older. You should consult your doctor to see if hormone therapy is still necessary and to evaluate the pros and cons of continuing hormone therapy, as it varies from person to person.
Hormone deficiency causes osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is not only caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium but also by other factors, importantly “sex hormone deficiency” or underlying diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disorders.
It may also result from behaviors such as alcohol consumption and smoking.
Does exercising and taking hormones cause baldness?
True. Using male hormones like testosterone by yourself increases the risk of side effects such as hair loss, baldness, acne, and oily skin.
Does excessive hormone use cause infertility?
True. If you use male hormones unnecessarily, it causes excessively high testosterone levels, which suppress the function of the testes and brain. The body then stops producing testosterone and sperm on its own, increasing the risk of infertility.
“For those who want more information about sex hormones
you can consult at the Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital”
Dr. Wivat Rodprasert, Internist, Endocrinology and Metabolism Specialist
Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
