Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) refers to the use of hormones to treat symptoms associated with menopause and other conditions related to hormone changes. The goal of HRT is to supplement low hormone levels and alleviate unpleasant symptoms.
When it comes to fertility, the effects of HRT are complex:
- For women going through menopause or with low hormone levels for other reasons, HRT may help improve fertility in some cases. Estrogen therapy can stimulate the ovaries and promote ovulation in perimenopausal women. However, pregnancy rates may still be low.
- For transgender women, HRT feminizes the body but does not restore full reproductive function or fertility. The effects of long-term estrogen therapy limit sperm production and quality. Surrogacy or adoption may be better options for achieving parenthood.
- Transgender men who start HRT quickly experience changes that affect fertility. Testosterone therapy stops menstruation and ovulation within a few months. Those who want to preserve fertility need to bank eggs or embryos before starting testosterone. After being on testosterone for years, going off of it may not lead to full restoration of fertility for some people.
So in summary,
while HRT can boost fertility for some, especially perimenopausal cisgender women using estrogen,
its effects are quite limited for enabling transgender people to achieve genetic parenthood. Other family-building options should be considered.
If you are exploring HRT and want to learn more about your options for preserving or attaining fertility, the endocrinologists and fertility specialists at
Renewal Hormone Clinic(/) have extensive experience and compassionate guidance to offer.
We provide individualized care focused on helping LGBTQ and straight patients fulfill their family-building dreams. Our services include:
- Fertility preservation for transgender patients
- Donor sperm, eggs, and embryo programs
- Surrogacy and gestational carrier guidance
- Ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Third party reproduction
With cutting-edge technology, innovative protocols, and personalized medical and emotional support, our team delivers exceptional conception and pregnancy success rates.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Discover what your treatment path could look like with Renewal Hormone Clinic(/).
