- Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. However, men also have small amounts of estrogen in their bodies as well, just as the male sex hormone testosterone is present in women's bodies. Estrogen governs the development of breasts and other secondary sexual characteristics and regulates menstruation in women. Estrogen is also important to male sexual reproduction, from affecting the maturation of sperm to playing a role in a man's sex drive.
- A man might take estrogen pills for a variety of reasons. Estrogen is sometimes used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It has also been experimentally used to treat osteoporosis in men. Researchers at Johns-Hopkins, among others, believe estrogen may play a role in reducing bone loss in elderly men. However, gender reassignment is the most common reason men seek out estrogen pills. A man who identifies as transsexual or who has been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria (unhappiness with the gender role he was born into) may seek out estrogen pills to aid in transitioning to being a female.
- Estrogen's most noticeable effect on men is the promotion of female secondary sexual characteristics. These include breast enlargement, a redistribution of fat to the hips and loss of facial hair. Use of estrogen also lowers a man's sperm count and tends to alter a man's cholesterol profile so that it is similar to a woman's. Because this change usually involves a beneficial increase in the "good" HDL cholesterol, estrogen may have a slight positive effect on men's heart health.
- A man's primary-care physician, an endocrinologist or a specialist in sex reassignment and gender transitioning are the main sources for estrogen pills for men. A few unregulated websites also offer estrogen pills to men seeking to obtain them without a doctor's prescription.
- Buying black-market estrogen pills is not recommended. Pills obtained without a doctor's prescription are often two or three times more expensive than prescribed pills, and a consumer cannot be sure of the quality of black-market products. Taking the pills under the supervision of a doctor is recommended since a physician can help determine the best dosage. A doctor will also monitor the patient for any adverse reactions such as excessive weight gain or water retention.
