Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that involves supplementing or replacing hormones in the body. It's commonly used to alleviate symptoms of menopause in women, but it's also a crucial part of gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary individuals. HRT can involve administering estrogen, testosterone, or other hormones to achieve desired physical and emotional changes.

Additional Information

For menopausal women, HRT typically involves estrogen and sometimes progesterone to manage symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss. For transgender individuals, HRT is used to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. This can involve testosterone for transgender men or estrogen for transgender women, often combined with hormone blockers.

HRT can be administered through various methods, including pills, patches, gels, injections, or implants. The effects can be both physical (changes in body fat distribution, hair growth patterns, voice) and emotional (mood changes, libido alterations). It's important to note that HRT should be undertaken under medical supervision due to potential risks and side effects.