There are many temporary as well as permanent effects of female hormones on men. The following article will discuss some of these effects.
Hormones are chemical signals that are released by cells in one part of the body that have an effect on other body parts. Cellular metabolism is affected or altered by the presence of really minute amounts of hormones. These hormones affect the physiology of a person and help differentiate a man from women. The anatomical differences between a male and female body is attributed to hormones.
Natural Female Hormones
There are many hormones which are produced naturally in a woman’s body. The ‘female’ hormones are estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are also produced in a man’s body, but in a very minute concentration. These female hormones play a significant role in the woman’s fertility and anatomical structure. A woman develops breast, undergoes monthly menstruation cycle, has thinner skin compared to men, does not develop beard or a hoarse voice, etc. all because of the presence of female hormones.
At puberty, many changes occur within the body at different rate and different time. These changes occur only due to the presence of hormones within the body. The female hormones in women help them develop feminine sexual characteristics. The same process of changes within the body is initiated with the help of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in men who want to develop female characteristics. These changes include reversible as well as irreversible changes.
Reversible Changes Occurring within the Body
- Body fat redistribution
- Muscle development reduction
- Changes in skin
- Body hair reduction
- Vein prominence reduction
- Decrease in libido
- Reduction in size of gonads
- Increased size of nipples and areolae
Irreversible Changes Occurring within the Body
- Development of breasts
- Stretch marks (observed in some people)
- Sterility
The hormones used in men for developing female characteristics are as follows:
Estrogen
Estrogen is the ‘female sex hormone’ that is made in the adrenal glands, fatty tissues as well as the ovaries. The most important function of estrogen is promotion of breast growth during puberty. It also helps the uterus lining to grow during the start of a monthly menstruation cycle. Estrogen is very important for a female body as it helps in maintaining the strength of bones by maintaining bone density with the promotion of osteoblasts that form bone cells.
Estrogen also helps promote fat distribution on the woman’s breast, abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, etc. that makes the body look feminine. It also helps control the fluid and electrolyte balance within the body. The follicles are stimulated by estrogen to release the egg. The internal environment of the reproductive organs are made more sperm friendly by estrogen that helps sperms survive and fertilize an egg.
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced in the ovaries as well as the adrenal glands, and is an precursor for other steroid hormones. The synthesis of progesterone varies during the menstrual cycle. The levels remain low at the beginning of the cycle, and peaks during ovulation. In the absence of fertilization, the progesterone levels drop leading to menstruation. It plays a major role in implantation and the events that occur in the early stages of pregnancy.
Other physiological effects of progesterone include development of mammary gland and increase in appetite. It also functions as a neurosteroid and is involved in mediation of signals required for sexually responsive behavior.
Prolactin
Prolactin is produced by the uterus, anterior pituitary gland. This is an important hormone that is produced by adolescent girls during puberty. It helps in development of the mammary glands, increase in fat storage within breasts and stimulation of milk production.
Female hormones are useful for those who are cross dressers, transgender and transvestite. These hormones help in enlargement of breasts, and the introduction of certain other feminine features. These hormones are available in form of creams and pills. There are four such natural hormones that help in enlargement of breasts and make the male body look more feminine. These hormones help in redistribution of the body fats and thinning of skin. These hormones are:
- Estrogen
- Prolactin
- Progesterone
- Growth Hormones
When these hormones are introduced into a man’s body by hormone replacement therapy, they cause strong reactions. These hormones imitate the conditions that an adolescent girl experiences during puberty.
Female Hormones Used in HRT for Men
Men looking forward for male breast enlargement need to speak to a doctor first. He will be able to advice you about the various doses of hormones that will help you achieve what you long for.
Estrogen
Estrogen hormone level increase in a man’s body is the first step to get features of a woman. Estrogen as mentioned above helps in breast development and lowers the levels of testosterone in the body. It also helps in inducing other feminine characteristics like fuller lips, softer skin, longer hair, nails and the curves generally seen on a woman’s body.
Progesterone
In men, progesterone administration along with the other female hormones help to achieve the desired fat distribution, skin changes and is essential for the complete maturation of breasts. However, it may lead to depression and mood changes.
Prolactin
This is another natural female hormone that helps in development of the mammary glands by storing fats required to form larger breasts.
Growth Hormones
The growth hormone therapy helps stimulate the growth in a body that occurs during body. It helps in the entire body redevelop like a woman and cause breasts in men to become larger.
Effects of Female Hormones on Men
Men who take estrogen hormones or produce more of it naturally will see growth in breast size. Other than that they may have sunken testicles, mood swings and decrease sexual desire. They will find their body fat developing more like in woman who collects on their hips and thighs instead of stomach. Their facial hair, that is, beard and mustache will stop growing gradually. Their skin, especially facial skin becomes thinner and softer. One should remember, estrogen side effects may cause increase in chances of developing male breast cancer, liver disorders, gallbladder disorders and blood clots.
Progesterone will cause the level of sperm production to go down to zero. The testicles will shrink drastically in size due to use of female hormones by men. One needs to use progesterone if they want to grow breasts to a fuller size. Otherwise, they will end up with small buds instead of breasts.
Testosterone levels will decrease causing decrease in muscle and bone mass in men. Their chest, legs and arm size may shrink to a more feminine size. The bones become brittle and porous, thus, prone to fractures. Some men may suffer from depression and psychological effects as they tend to become fore assertive like females. They may lose interest in sex. These changes are reversible once these hormones are stopped. However, it should be noted the enlargement of breasts, nipples and areolae is not reversible. Few men may suffer from hot flashes like women and some other effects that are experienced by menopausal women.
Before one undergoes hormone replacement therapy, one may be advised to seek psychological counseling in order to prepare for the role of the opposite gender.
