What is HRT and SRT?

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) involves using medications containing female hormones like estrogen and/or progesterone to supplement the body when hormone production declines during perimenopause and menopause. The goal of HRT is to relieve symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.
SRT (sex reassignment therapy) involves using hormones and sometimes surgery to change secondary sex characteristics so they match a person's gender identity. The purpose is to help transgender individuals physically transition to their affirmed gender.

Both therapies involve taking exogenous hormones to alter physical characteristics and improve quality of life. However, they have different purposes and are used by different populations.

Some key differences:

• Purpose
  
  
  
  
  • HRT: Relieve menopausal symptoms in cisgender women
  
  
  • SRT: Enable gender transition for transgender individuals
  
  


• Hormones used
  
  
  
  
  • HRT: Estrogen and/or progesterone
  
  
  • SRT:
    
    
    
    
    • Transgender women take estrogen and anti-androgens
    
    
    • Transgender men take testosterone
    
    
  
  


• Changes caused
  
  
  
  
  • HRT: Reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes
  
  
  • SRT: Feminization or masculinization of secondary sex characteristics
  
  


• Population
  
  
  
  
  • HRT: Perimenopausal and postmenopausal cisgender women
  
  
  • SRT: Transgender individuals
  
  

How HRT Works

• HRT supplements the drop in estrogen and progesterone that occurs during perimenopause and menopause.


• It is most often used to relieve uncomfortable menopausal symptoms like:
  
  
  • Hot flashes
  
  
  • Night sweats
  
  
  • Vaginal dryness and discomfort
  
  
  • Mood changes
  
  
  • Sleep problems
  
  


• HRT can take 6 months to reach full effect. The duration of treatment varies per individual.


• Forms of HRT:
  
  
  • Estrogen-only
  
  
  • Progesterone-only
  
  
  • Combined estrogen and progesterone
  
  

Hormone Harmony provides customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help women find the right HRT regimen for their needs. Book a free consultation today!

HRT Regimens

There are a few different regimens doctors may prescribe:

• Cyclic: Mimics menstrual cycle
  
  
  • Estrogen daily
  
  
  • Progesterone for ~2 weeks every month
  
  


• Continuous Combined: Low consistent doses
  
  
  • Daily estrogen
  
  
  • Daily progesterone
  
  


• Estrogen alone: For women without a uterus

The regimen depends on the individual's symptoms and health profile. Doctors can help determine the right plan.

Effects of HRT

• Relief of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats


• Reduce symptoms like vaginal dryness that can cause painful sex


• Improve mood, energy, sleep


• Protect bone health to reduce osteoporosis risk


• Mixed evidence on cardiovascular and breast cancer impacts:
  
  
  • Estrogen-only HRT associated with reduced breast cancer risk
  
  
  • Combination with synthetic progesterone associated with increased risk
  
  


• Effects diminish over time if treatment stops

Again, talk to the medical experts at Hormone Harmony about the latest research on risks and benefits of HRT for your personal health history.

How SRT Works

The goal of sex reassignment therapy is to use medical interventions to enable individuals to physically transition to their gender identity. This can help align their body with their innate sense of self.

Common effects by gender:

Transgender Women

• Estrogen
  
  
  • Breast growth
  
  
  • Redistribute body fat to hips/thighs
  
  
  • Decreased muscle mass
  
  
  • Softening of skin
  
  
  • Decreased libido
  
  
  • Decreased sperm production
  
  
  • Decreased erections
  
  


• Anti-androgens:
  
  
  • Soften skin
  
  
  • Decrease body hair growth
  
  
  • Slow balding
  
  

Transgender Men

• Testosterone
  
  
  • Deepening of voice
  
  
  • Increased muscle mass
  
  
  • Increased facial and body hair
  
  
  • Male-pattern baldness
  
  
  • Change in body odor
  
  
  • Increased libido
  
  
  • Fat redistribution
  
  
  • Increased clitoral size
  
  
  • Vaginal atrophy
  
  
  • Cessation of menstrual cycle
  
  

The physical changes associated with SRT allow transgender folks to align their outward appearance and physical characteristics with their gender identity. This can greatly improve mental health, quality of life, and psychosocial functioning.

Conclusion

In summary, while both HRT and SRT involve hormone therapies, they have distinct purposes:

• HRT manages menopause symptoms


• SRT enables gender transition

I hope this overview has helped explain some of the key similarities and differences between the two types of treatment. Let me know if you have any other questions!

And if you or a loved one is considering medical transition, the expert physicians at Hormone Harmony provide safe, ethical care. Contact us to learn more or schedule a free intro call.