Alice,
I am a male-to-female transsexual that has been on hormone therapy since 1991. I can assure this person that birth control pills are not strong enough to counteract the testosterone running...
I'm a man who wants to take birth control pills — What do I need to know? | Originally Published: September 17, 1999 - Last Updated / Reviewed On: November 4, 2005 |
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Hi Alice,
I am twenty-nine-year-old male. I also am a crossdresser. The question I want to ask is this: I have been wanting to get on birth control pills. I have been wanting this since I was fourteen. I would like to know the danger of this before I see a doctor. I am not bothered about the female hormones. If I can, what are the things I need to ask, and what doctor do I see for getting birth control pills? I would feel more feminine and better about myself if I was on the pill. Thank you for your time.
Maryan
Dear Maryan,
You're raising several issues related to gender that are both fascinating and complicated. Taking birth control pills clearly is important to you. Doing so has many medical implications, and Alice suggests another step before going to a health care provider.
First consult with someone expert in gender issues since related information and support are vital. A GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) center that deals with transgender issues may be able to help you find a professional and/or support group in this field. Your conversations with this person or group about birth control pills and what they can offer you will be only part of the overall discussion, which could also cover the following questions: Are you interested in transitioning from male-to-female? Or, are you only interested in the idea of taking medication most often used by women? How else would you like to express your feminine/masculine sides? How do you feel about yourself and your body? Do you have friends with whom you share this side of yourself?
To locate a center, support group, or expert near you, contact:
- The International Foundation for Gender Education
- Phone: 781.899.2212
- Fax: 781.899.5703
- E-mail IFGE
- Renaissance Transgender Association, Inc.
- 987 Old Eagle School Road
- Suite 719
- Wayne, PA 19087
- Phone: 610.975.9119
- E-mail Renaissance
- Transgender Forum's Community Center web site
- The New York City Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center
- One Little West 12th Street
- New York, NY
- Phone: 212.620.7310
- NYS Relay Service: 800.662.1220 (TDD/TTY)
- 800.421.1220 (voice)
- (The Center has a gender identity project that involves one-on-one peer counseling, support groups, and referrals.)
- Phone: 781.899.2212
After working with someone familiar with transgender issues, your next move can be a visit to a health care provider that s/he recommends or has worked with before. The provider will ask about your medical history. Then you can discuss with her or him various options available to you, including the Pill, and the outcomes, possible risks, and benefits associated with them.
Good luck,
April 9, 2004
20543Alice,
I am a male-to-female transsexual that has been on hormone therapy since 1991. I can assure this person that birth control pills are not strong enough to counteract the testosterone running through their body. This person needs to first consult a psychologist or psychiatrist that works with transgender issues in a positive way. Why? Because there are issues that this person really needs to deal with before getting on hormones which can intensify those issues and cause greater problems if they are not dealt with first. Then this person needs to find an endocrinologist that works with transgender individuals, specifically, male-to-female transsexuals. There are blood tests that will need to be done in order to help determine the type and level of hormones and anti-testosterones the person will need to take. Also, most doctors that work with transgender individuals will not prescribe hormones if they do not have a letter from the person's mental health therapist saying that they are ready for them.
Just some thoughts on the matter,
Vikki