Hormones, Healing, and Mental Health: What Trans Folks Deserve to Know

For many transgender and gender-diverse individuals, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is more than a medical intervention — it’s a pathway to emotional congruence, self-recognition, and healing. But while the physical changes are often discussed, the emotional shifts deserve just as much attention.

Hormones and Mental Health: What the Research Shows

Recent studies show that GAHT is associated with significantly lower rates of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms among trans adults. In a 2025 longitudinal study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers followed over 3,500 transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse patients across four years. They found that those prescribed GAHT had a 15% lower risk of experiencing moderate-to-severe depression compared to those who did not receive hormones.

This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about lives. It’s about trans people feeling emotionally aligned, less dysphoric, and more able to engage in relationships, work, and community.

Emotional Shifts: What to Expect

Hormones can bring emotional changes that are deeply personal and sometimes unexpected:

• Estrogen may increase emotional openness, sensitivity, and verbal fluency.
• Testosterone may bring emotional steadiness, shifts in energy, or changes in how emotions are expressed.
• Mood swings or fluctuations are common during the adjustment period, especially in the first few months.

These shifts are not signs of instability — they’re signs of transformation. Your body is aligning with your identity, and your emotions are part of that journey.

Trauma-Informed, Affirming Care Matters

Mental health improves when care is:

• Affirming: Providers use correct names, pronouns, and respect your identity.
• Accessible: Low-barrier access to GAHT and therapy without gatekeeping.
• Trauma-informed: Clinicians understand the impact of stigma, discrimination, and past trauma on emotional health.

You deserve providers who listen. You deserve care that honors your whole self. You deserve joy, safety, and healing.

You Are Not Alone

Whether you’re just starting hormones or years into your journey, your mental health matters. If you’re noticing emotional shifts, reach out.

At Fine Tune Psychiatry we believe in care that’s inclusive, compassionate, and rooted in your lived experience. We’re here to walk with you — every step of the way. Book an appointment today.