Hormonal Therapy
✔ Medically reviewed by Dr. Ashutosh Shah — M.B., M.S., M.Ch., D.N.B., Board-Certified Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Director of Elegance Clinic, Surat (22+ years’ experience).
Gender-affirming hormone therapy in Surat is medically supervised treatment with oestrogen or testosterone that helps transgender adults develop physical features that match their gender identity. At Elegance Clinic, hormone therapy is planned as part of a complete gender-affirming care pathway, coordinated with endocrinology and mental-health specialists, alongside surgical options with plastic surgeon Dr. Ashutosh Shah.
What Is Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy is often the first medical step in gender transition. It changes the balance of sex hormones in the body so that, over months to years, the body develops more feminine or more masculine characteristics.
There are two main types:
- Feminising hormone therapy (for trans women and transfeminine people): oestrogen, usually with a medicine that lowers or blocks testosterone.
- Masculinising hormone therapy (for trans men and transmasculine people): testosterone.
Hormone therapy must always be prescribed and monitored by a doctor; self-medicating with hormones bought without prescription can cause serious health problems, including blood clots and liver damage.
What Changes to Expect
Changes happen gradually and differ from person to person. Some are reversible if treatment stops; others are permanent.
Feminising hormone therapy
| Change | Usually begins | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|
| Softer skin, less oily skin | 1-3 months | Yes |
| Breast growth | 3-6 months, continuing for 2-3 years | No |
| Fat moving towards hips and thighs | 3-6 months | Partly |
| Reduced muscle mass | 3-6 months | Yes |
| Slower, finer body hair growth | 6-12 months | Partly |
| Reduced fertility | Varies | May be permanent |
Oestrogen does not change the voice or remove facial hair completely. Voice training and laser hair removal are often used alongside hormones.
Masculinising hormone therapy
| Change | Usually begins | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|
| Periods stop | 2-6 months | Yes |
| Deeper voice | 3-12 months | No |
| Facial and body hair growth | 3-6 months, continuing for years | No |
| Increased muscle mass | 6-12 months | Partly |
| Fat moving away from hips | 3-6 months | Partly |
| Scalp hair thinning (in some people) | Variable | No |
Who Can Start Hormone Therapy?
- Adults aged 18 or above with a persistent, well-documented gender identity that differs from the sex assigned at birth
- People who understand the expected changes, risks and which effects are permanent
- Those whose other health conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure or mental-health conditions) are reasonably controlled
- People willing to attend regular check-ups and blood tests
Hormone therapy may need extra caution or may not be suitable for people with a history of blood clots, stroke, certain cancers, severe liver disease or uncontrolled heart disease. Smoking significantly increases the risk of blood clots with oestrogen and should be stopped.
How Is Hormone Therapy Started?
- Confidential first consultation: your goals, health history and questions
- Mental-health assessment: by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist, as recommended by international guidelines
- Baseline tests: blood tests such as hormone levels, blood count, liver function, blood sugar and cholesterol
- Fertility discussion: options such as sperm or egg freezing before starting, if you may want biological children
- Prescription and plan: by an endocrinologist, with the form of hormone (tablets, gel, patches or injections) chosen for you
- Regular monitoring: blood tests and check-ups about every 3 months in the first year, then every 6-12 months
Is Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Safe?
When prescribed and monitored by doctors, hormone therapy is considered safe for most healthy adults. Possible risks of oestrogen include blood clots, raised blood pressure, changes in liver function and mood changes. Possible risks of testosterone include a raised red blood cell count, acne, changes in cholesterol, raised blood pressure and mood changes. Regular blood tests allow doses to be adjusted early and keep these risks low.
Hormone Therapy and Gender-Affirming Surgery
Many people combine hormone therapy with surgery. Hormones usually come first: for example, breast growth from oestrogen is often allowed to settle for about 12 months before deciding on breast augmentation. Gender-affirming surgical options at Elegance Clinic include:
- Gender-affirming surgery overview
- Hairline lowering and forehead shortening for a more feminine face
- Transgender hair transplant for hairline, beard or eyebrows
Why Choose Elegance Clinic for Gender-Affirming Care in Surat?
Confidential gender-affirming care consultation at Elegance Clinic, Surat- Respectful, confidential care: your name, pronouns and privacy are respected at every visit.
- One coordinated pathway: hormone therapy, mental-health support and surgery planned together rather than in isolation.
- Experienced plastic surgeon: Dr. Ashutosh Shah (M.B., M.S., M.Ch., D.N.B. - Plastic Surgery) has over 22 years of experience.
- Safety first: regular monitoring instead of unsupervised hormones.
- Two Surat locations: Adajan (Trinity Business Park, LP Savani Road) and Vesu (Times Square, Canal Road).
Start With a Confidential Conversation
Visit our Adajan or Vesu clinic in Surat to discuss your goals and the safest path forward.
Book a Confidential Consultation WhatsApp UsCall: +91 83205 00350
