Transition Resources: Overview of Options Available Today

Prepared by Roo. Reviewed by Moonbeam.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

For transgender and non-binary individuals who are pursuing a medical transition, often one of the first options that is pursued is undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT. Ideally done under the supervision of licensed medical professionals, HRT involves taking hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, and androgen/estrogen blockers to achieve a sense of “rightness” in how one’s body works. In addition to potentially feeling like your hormones are as they should be, HRT also has numerous permanent and temporary physical effects on the body which may be desirable for aiding one’s outward presentation.

In this page, we cover details about the various ways HRT can affect someone’s body.

In this page, we discuss how HRT works at the level of biology and biochemistry. This may help you understand why some medicines are prescribed, how they work, and why HRT might have such broad effects on seemingly unrelated systems. This page should be considered “optional” but we hope you find it helpful!

There are many medications in use. There are different drugs, available in different dosages, and even available in different formats (like pills, versus skin patches, versus injections). In this page, we want to introduce you to medications being used for feminization, masculinization, and even non-binary treatments.

Gender-affirming surgical procedures

If the physical effects of HRT alone are not enough for one’s transition goals, there are many surgical procedures that transgender and non-binary people can seek out. When working with an experienced surgeon, gender-affirming surgeries can often be customized to your specific needs. Individuals seeking out gender-affirming surgeries may get one or multiple procedures done as desired for their physical transition. Surgeries can be generally more permanent than some of HRT’s effects, and often have a much more obvious change to someone’s outward appearance. Examples of surgical procedures someone might pursue include, but are not limited to:

  • “Bottom” surgeries, to reconstruct one’s sex organs to something closer to what you desire
  • “Top” surgeries, to augment or reduce the breasts in the direction of your outward
  • Removal of sex hormone-producing organs to prevent conflicting behavior with HRT
  • Facial reconstructive surgeries to adjust the shape of one’s face to be more masculine or feminine
  • Body contouring or other cosmetic surgeries to impact the physical shape of your body

Therapy and counseling

In addition to more physical means of transition, many individuals under the transgender umbrella may choose to work with a therapist or counselor to discuss their gender dysphoria, transition, and/or journey as a transgender or non-binary person. Working closely with a mental health professional can aid in finding healthy ways to cope with dysphoria, ideas for next steps in your transition, as well as general therapeutic relief for any number of various mental health concerns.

Non-medical transition options

Many transgender and non-binary individuals who are undergoing a medical transition may wish to pursue additional, non-medical means of transitioning for their own gender affirmation. However, these options can also be worthwhile for anyone looking for transition options without a medical commitment (e.g., feeling out a new identity, taking steps to transition when medical options are not available, no desire to medically transition, etc.). Some examples of transition options anyone can do without a medical component include, but are not limited to:

  • Coming out and/or going by a new name and/or pronouns, especially among supportive friends and family
  • Changing your name and gender marker on legal documents
  • Wearing gender-affirming clothing, makeup, hairstyles, or other means of expression
  • Shaving, seeking out laser or electrolytic hair removal, or growing out body and facial hair as desired
  • Binding, packing, tucking, or utilizing prostheses to give body a visibly contoured appearance depending on one’s transition goals
  • Pursuing voice training to speak in accordance with one’s desired presentation