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DIY transgender hormone therapy is a phenomenon where transgender people obtain and self-administer transgender hormone therapy as part of their gender transition without the guidance of a licensed medical provider. This may be caused by various problems accessing healthcare which transgender people face. The prevalence of DIY hormone therapy in the trans community varies between studies, from 11% to 79%.
DIY transgender hormone therapy involves transgender people "seek[ing] to access [transgender hormone therapy] through friends, peers, and the internet, without consulting a health worker."[1] Trans people can obtain information about hormone therapy from online sources, some of which are generated by the trans community.[2][3][4]
In rare cases, some transgender people have attempted DIY surgeries.[5]
A 2022 review article concluded that DIY hormone replacement therapy "is related to challenges finding knowledgeable and non-stigmatising health workers, lack of access to appropriate services, exclusion, discomfort managing relationships with health workers, cost and desire for a faster transition."[1]
Estimates of the prevalence of DIY hormone therapy in the trans community vary significantly. One survey in Ontario found that 25% currently or formerly obtained DIY hormones, whereas for trans people of color living in San Francisco a different survey found that 63% had relied on DIY.[1][3] According to a 2022 review, at the low end, 11% of Ontarian transgender people report having used DIY HRT; at the other extreme, 79% of trans women from Rio de Janeiro have done the same. In between lie London at 31% of transgender people, and 49% of trans women in San Francisco.[1] The use of DIY increased during the COVID-19 pandemic although it had been common before.[4] The prevalence of DIY hormone usage has been estimated to be higher among trans women than trans men.[6] This may be due to the illegality of androgens in many countries.
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A 2022 review identified no peer-reviewed studies on the effectiveness of self-administered gender-affirming hormones.[1]
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