Endocrinology
Hormone treatment impacts on the sex lives of trans people and their partners: trans women have greater difficulty in achieving erection and orgasm because of hormone blocking treatment (that lowers testosterone) and oestrogen administration, whereas trans men's libido is heightened once testosterone treatment starts.
Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.
Conversion Table
The following table provides the conversion factors between the units used in the US and by the Endocrine Society and the SI units commonly used elsewhere such as the NHS.
| Component |
Conventional Unit |
Conversion Factor |
SI Unit |
| Estradiol (Dual report) | pg/mL | 3.671 | pmol/L |
| Estriol | ng/mL | 3.467 | nmol/L |
| Estrone | ng/dL | 37 | pmol/L |
| Progesterone | ng/mL | 3.18 | nmol/L |
| Testosterone (Dual report) | ng/dL | 0.0347 | nmol/L |
Progesterone is a hormone naturally produced by the female reproductive tract. Many trans women believe it has value in the physical transition process and particularly in relation to the
development of breast tissue. However, in the trans arena, there is much misinformation about its benefits, little information on its adverse effects and little understanding of its action in the genetic female. The full article may be read here.
The Department of Health has published a booklet which gives trans men (female to male individuals) and trans women (male to female individuals) straightforward information about the benefits of hormone therapy and the risks and side effects.
Every individual is different, and guidance about hormone therapy\ should always be used flexibly in response to individual needs. If you are thinking about starting hormone therapy, you may find it helpful to share the information in this booklet with a spouse or partner or other family members. The complete booklet is available here.
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