Transgender hormone therapy is used to change the levels of hormones in the body. This can be done to align hormone levels with a person’s desired gender identity. For people transitioning from female to male, testosterone replacement therapy is often prescribed in order to encourage masculinizing physical changes. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of this type of hormone therapy.
1. Increased Muscle Mass and Strength
Testosterone replacement therapy can lead to an increase in muscle mass and strength. This is because testosterone plays a how much is hormone replacement therapy female to male role in protein synthesis, which is necessary for muscle growth. In one study, transgender men who took testosterone for 20 weeks saw an increase in lean body mass and leg press strength (1).
2. Decreased Fat Mass
In addition to increasing muscle mass, testosterone replacement therapy can also lead to a decrease in fat mass. One study found that after 20 weeks of treatment, there was a significant decrease in total body fat and trunk fat in transgender men (1).
3. Improved Mood and Quality of Life
In addition to physical changes, testosterone replacement therapy can also lead to improvements in mood and quality of life. One study found that transgender men who were on testosterone for at least 6 months had significantly lower scores on measures of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those who were not on testosterone (5). Additionally, another study found that participants who were on testosterone for at least 12 months had significantly higher scores on measures of quality of life compared to those who were not on testosterone (6). These findings suggest that hormone therapy can have a positive impact on mental health for some people transitioning from female to male.
4. Increased Bone Density
Another benefit of testosterone replacement therapy is increased bone density. This is because testosterone plays a role in bone formation and maintenance (7). In one study, transgender men who were on testosterone for at least one year had significantly higher bone mineral density at the hip compared to those who were not on testosterone.
6. improved Cardiovascular Health
Testosterone replacement therapy may also have some benefits for cardiovascular health. One study found that after one year of treatment, transgender men had significantly lower levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) compared to those who were not on testosterone (8). These findings suggest that testosterone therapy may have a positive impact on heart health.
Conclusion
Hormone replacement therapy can offer many benefits for people transitioning from female to male, including increased muscle mass and strength, decreased fat mass, increased bone density, and improved mood and quality of life. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone experiences transition—or hormone therapy—the same way, and not everyone will see the same results with hormone therapy. If you’re considering hormone therapy as part of your transition from female to male, be sure to speak with your doctor about your specific goals so that you have realistic expectations for what hormone therapy can do for you personally.
