Some places sell “hormones” that do not need a prescription. Do not buy these. These places include:
- some drugstores
- some nutrition centers
- some stores for gender diverse people
- online stores like Amazon
The only way to get prescription hormones is to go to a doctor or order them from online pharmacies.
Basics
For over-the-counter drugs, you can buy them anywhere.
Other drugs need a prescription. A doctor must say it is OK for you to take them.
Most hormones used in trans healthcare are prescription drugs.
Some people sell dietary supplements and herbal medicines that they say can change your hormone levels. These claims do not have good evidence.
Products to avoid
Some things that look like prescription drugs do not work the same way as prescription drugs. These include:
- herbal hormones
- phytoestrogen
- estrogen alternative
- natural hormones
- feminizing pills
- breast enhancement pills
- breast enhancement creams
- testosterone booster
- testosterone support
- testosterone supplement
- testosterone alternative
- male enhancement
- natural estrogen blocker
These are not prescription hormones and do not have good proof they can work.
Dietary supplements
All countries have a federal agency that makes sure all foods and drugs are safe. Examples:
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
- Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
- Health Canada / Santé Canada
In the US, dietary supplements that make health claims will have this on the label:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Companies and brands to avoid
Here are some over-the-counter products that are not prescription hormones. They will not change your body very much, if at all. Some of them might make you sick if you take too much or take them together with other products.
Feminize / FMNZ Store (feminizegummies.com)
- These products are targeted to young transgender people and low-information adults, mainly older crossdressers. Do not purchase anything offered by this company that is exploiting our community.
- ZBABLIFE LLC via Registered Agents Inc., 30 North Gould Street, Suite R, Sheridan, WY 82801
- exposé
- USPTO https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=98176856&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch
- FEMINIZE™ HRT+ Gummies for Estrogen (MTF)
- FEMINIZE™ HRT+ Pills for Estrogen (MTF)
QueerQuirk / EstroLabs (queerquirk.com)
- This appeared in 2023, and all products should be avoided. It was created by an anti-transgender activist.
- Kevin Lowy (Patriot Front exposé) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbHXa3409BQ
- Gender Fluid
- E-Girl Formula
- Femboy Tummy Pills
- I Can’t Believe It’s Not Estrogen!
- Oops, All Testosterone
- Super Girl Vitality
- QueerQuirk.com (abandoned 2023) [archive]
- Xiang, Chloe (June 14, 2023). A Sketchy Website Advertised Fake Hormone Pills to Trans People. Then, It Disappeared. Vice https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-sketchy-website-advertised-fake-hormone-pills-to-trans-people-then-it-disappeared/
- https://x.com/QueerQuirk
Solaray
- Female Hormone Blend SP-7C
- Vitex Berry Womens Healthy Hormone Balance Formula
- DIM Supreme for Menopause and Estrogen Metabolism Support
- Fo-Ti Healthy Liver, Kidney, Hormone & Longevity Support
- Phytoestrogen Supplement
- PhytoEstrogen + EFAs
Rae
- Rebalance Hormone Support
Happy Healthy Hippie
- Go with The Flow – Hormone Balance for Women
SMNutrition
- Phyto Estrogen Cream for Women
- Hormone Balance Liquid Drops
- Women’s DIM Complex
- DIM Supplement 200 mg | Estrogen Balance for Women & Men
- Advanced Formula Estrogen Cream
- Estrogen Estriol Cream
- Estro-Life
Biolabs
- PRO Natural Bioidentical Estriol Beauty Cream
DailyNutra
- Hormone Balance for Women
As you can see, many names sound like they are prescription hormones, but they are not.
Herbal medicine
Some products claim they will change your hormone levels. They look like vitamins and are made of plants. These herbal medicines are often part of traditional medicine. They make health claims based on folk beliefs. These claims are not based on scientific evidence.
Some of the herbal medicines that claim to change hormone levels include:
- Ashwagandha
- Black Cohosh
- Butternut
- Chamomile
- Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus)
- Cramp Bark
- Dong Quai
- Fenugreek
- Kelp
- Hypromellose
- Licorice
- Passion Flower
- Red Raspberry
- Reishi Mycelium
- Saw Palmetto
- Schizandra
- Wild Yam
Bioidenticals
Bioidentical chemicals are made in a lab in several ways. They are different than endogenous chemicals, which are produced by a living animal, plant, or fungus.
These chemicals include many hormones. This is a complicated topic that will be expanded in the future.
Most bioidentical hormones require a prescription. If a product uses the word “bioidentical” but does not need a prescription, do not buy it.
Foods
Some foods may have a small effect on hormone levels in some people.
To lower testosterone, increase soy and reduce meat, cholesterol, and fat.
To lower estrogen, reduce caffeine and processed food. Increase fiber, flax seed, foods with sulfur, and organic food.
For more on this, see my page on diet and exercise.
References
NCCIH (January 2021). Bodybuilding and performance enhancement supplements: What you need to know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bodybuilding-and-performance-enhancement-supplements
Riedel, Samantha (June 8, 2023) Please Don’t Get Scammed By Fake Hormone “Alternatives” Online. them. https://www.them.us/story/bogus-estrogen-alternative-ashwagandha-pills-scam
Resources
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (nccih.nih.gov)
- Federal agency that conducts and supports research and provides information about complementary health products and practices.
- Explaining How Research Works (NIH)
- Know the Science: 9 Questions To Help You Make Sense of Health Research
- Understanding Clinical Studies (NIH)
USDA: Nutrition (nutrition.gov)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ods.od.nih.gov)