Medications

Overview of common HRT medications, their forms, and general notes. Click info links for detailed pages once available.

Estrogens

Medication Type Notes
Estradiol Injections Estrogen Cheapest way to start HRT with minimal to no side effects.
Estradiol Pills Estrogen The most common estrogen.
Estradiol Gel Estrogen The best alternative to injections or pills.
Estradiol Patches Estrogen Can have shortage problems.

Anti-Androgens

Medication Type Notes
Spironolactone Anti-Androgen The most common anti-androgen prescribed in North America.
Bicalutamide Anti-Androgen Has the least major side effects of the anti-androgens.
Cyproterone Acetate Anti-Androgen Will tank testosterone levels with some safety considerations.
GnRH Agonists Anti-Androgen One of the best anti-androgens, but difficult to obtain and can be expensive. Can also be used as puberty blockers.

Progesterone

Medication Type Notes
Progesterone Capsules Progesterone Easy to obtain, can cause drowsiness. Can be administered rectally.
Progesterone Gel Progesterone Harder to obtain than other methods but a good alternative to rectal or injections.
Progesterone Injections Progesterone Great way to get progesterone, requires frequent injection (daily or every other day).

Hair Loss Prevention

Medication Type Notes
Finasteride Hair Loss Decreases DHT levels to prevent hair loss. Not an anti-androgen. Associated with mental health effects.
Dutasteride Hair Loss Decreases DHT levels to prevent hair loss. Not an anti-androgen. Associated with mental health effects.

Other

Medication Type Notes
Domperidone Dopamine Antagonist Do not use for breast growth. Useful to induce lactation.