Tests and Procedures

Feminizing hormone therapy

Results

During your first year of feminizing hormone therapy, you'll need to see your doctor approximately every three months for checkups, as well as anytime you make changes to your hormone regimen. Your doctor will:

  • Document your physical changes
  • Monitor your hormone concentration, and use the lowest dose necessary to achieve desired physical effects
  • Monitor changes in your lipids, fasting blood sugar, blood count, liver enzymes and electrolytes that could be caused by hormone therapy
  • Monitor your behavioral health

You will also need routine preventive care, including:

  • Breast cancer screening. This includes monthly breast self-exams and age-appropriate mammography screening according to the age-appropriate breast cancer screening recommendations for cisgender women.
  • Supplementation. This includes standard calcium and vitamin D supplementation, along with bone density assessment according to the age-appropriate recommendations for cisgender women.
  • Prostate cancer screening. This should be done according to age-appropriate recommendations for cisgender men. With estrogen treatment, your PSA level is expected to decrease by about 50 percent.