A gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals normally includes the prescription of feminising hormones, oestrogen and progesterone which develop female secondary sexual characteristics. In addition this may be accompanied before surgery by anti-androgen treatment to reduce the effect of the patients own male sex hormones. There can be risks attached to hormone therapy in both men and women and therefore it is definitely inadvisable to take any form of hormone product unless it is medically prescribed.
Progestogens (progesterone and synthetics) are sometimes added to a hormone regimen. Many doctors consider them optional.
Progestogens are usually given in an attempt to improve breast development. Progestogens can also inhibit testosterone, and are sometimes used for this purpose. Medroxyprogesterone, the most commonly used product, has the disadvantage of counteracting some of the beneficial effects of estrogen on blood lipids. Micronized ("natural") progesterone is sometimes suggested as an alternative, but it is expensive, sometimes hard to find, and difficult to obtain without prescription. Here are some typical dosages:
Oral progestogens
Medroxyprogesterone (Provera®) 5 to 10 mg daily or
Micronized progesterone 100 mg twice daily
Injectable (intramuscular) progestogen
medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera®) 100 to 200 mg per month
Some typically-used dosages for pre-operative transsexual women who have not had an orchiectomy (castration) are as follows:
Oral progestogens
Medroxyprogesterone (Provera®) 5 -10 mg daily or
Micronized progesterone 100mg twice daily
Injectable (intramuscular) progestogen
Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera®) 100 mg per month or 50 mg every two weeks or
Progesterone in oil 100 mg per month or 50 mg every two weeks.
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