We’re very excited to tell you about Plume’s collaboration with GoodRx! We’re working together to provide our community with expert and reliable information on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). First up, a little about what you might expect when taking Estrogen. Here are some excerpts from the blog:
Estrogen is a hormone we all naturally make, but different bodies make different amounts. No singular gender identity is required for estrogen-based GAHT! But most commonly it is prescribed to trans women, transfeminine, nonbinary, and intersex folks.
Estrogen, testosterone blockers or androgen blockers, and progesterone are the large groups of therapies that are typically used in estrogen-based GAHT. Each group of medications can be administered in a variety of dosages and routes.
According to UCSF guidelines, the patch seems to be the safest form of estradiol in terms of blood clotting risk and for use in active smokers.
Most people first start noticing changes from estrogen like chest development and nipple tenderness at around 2 to 3 months after starting. Mental health, especially anxiety and depression, can also improve soon after starting estrogen. Some of the other changes that occur more gradually can include: body fat redistribution, softer and less oily skin, thinning and slowed growth of body and facial hair, decreased libido (sex drive) and sexual function, decrease in size of some parts of the genitals, and possible infertility.
Most folks will max out on physical changes after taking estradiol for 2 to 5 years, but they continue taking it beyond that point to maintain the changes that have occurred.
Remember, you can use GoodRx to help bring down the cost of most GAHT prescriptions. We recommend downloading their app.
To learn more about Plume, visit us at getplume.co/get-started
