Transpeople, Hormones, and Health Risks in Southeast Asia: A Lao Study

ABSTRACT

Cross-sex hormones, while often effective in producing some of the bodily changes desired by transpeople, may also involve harmful side-effect risks, especially when used against contraindications and precautions, and in the wrong dosages. Same-sex hormones blockers (interrupting the person's own sex hormone production) may also have potential side effects. Yet there is evidence from Southeast Asia that transpeople commonly use hormones of both types without any medical supervision, often unaware of the risks at which they put themselves. This report, employing a sample of Lao transwomen, examines the degree to which participants using hormones seek out medical advice regarding their use, as well as examining participants’ knowledge and experience of hormone effects and side effects. The results suggest that as few as one in eight of those using hormones consulted medical professionals about doing so, instead most often relying on friends for advice. Though all who took hormones were aware of the positive effects they were having on their bodies, only half knew of any possible side effects, with only one in ten able to list any of the more serious (potentially life-threatening) effects. Around a half who took hormones had stopped doing so within six years of first taking them, nine out of ten citing unwanted or unhealthy side effects. The implications for transgender health care are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgenderism
• hormones
• Laos
• transwomen

Thanks to the staff of the Lao Youth Aid Project, without whose help this research would not have been possible. Funding from University of Hong Kong Small Project Funding is acknowledged: Project No: 200507176179

Sam Winter is a psychologist who has been working in the field of sexual and gender diversity for the last nine years. Serge Doussantousse has been researching sexual health issues in Southeast Asia for many years.