Will Gender Affirming Hormones Affect My S*X Life?
- Dr Rhy Brignell
- May 28, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 8
At a Glance
Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) can influence sexual desire, arousal, fertility and sexual function by altering hormone levels that affect the body and mind. While experiences vary, many transgender and non-binary individuals report changes in libido, physical sensations and intimacy alongside improved body confidence, reduced gender dysphoria and a stronger sense of alignment with their gender identity. Ongoing clinical support helps individuals understand and navigate these changes safely.
Questions About Gender Affirming Hormones Affecting Sexual Health
Starting gender affirming hormones brings significant change for trans and non-binary individuals. These hormones, oestrogen and testosterone, used in gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), help bring a person’s physical characteristics into closer alignment with their true gender identity.
You may already know about the physical and emotional changes that hormone therapy brings, but maybe you’ll be surprised to know how gender affirming hormones can affect your sex life. These hormones can affect the systems involved in sexual desire, arousal, mood and reproductive function.
Questions about gender affirming hormones and sexual health, libido and intimacy are common for people to have before starting GAHT. In reality, the extent to which hormone therapy affects sexual desire, arousal, sensations and emotional connection depends on the individual.
In this guide, we explore the common questions and concerns about gender affirming hormones and sex, libido and reproductive health.
How Gender Affirming Hormones Affect Your Sexual Life
The most common question asked is, “Will hormones affect my sex life?”
To put it simply, yes.
You may wonder, “Will they make me horny?” “Will they change how I feel about other people touching me?” and so on.
Gender-affirming hormones undoubtedly have a positive effect on well-being. They make you mentally feel "you" whilst physically changing some parts of your body.
All of this will make you feel confident and more comfortable in your body.
When we are comfortable and confident, we can start to relax and truly love ourselves. This means that we can start to trust others to enjoy our bodies. When we are happy within, this shows on the outside. We know that others find confidence sexy.
Patients on gender affirming hormone therapy often report that their sex life is better than before.
This is because gender affirming hormone therapy not only changes the physical body but also enables you to feel yourself inside. And that is powerful in itself.
How Gender Affirming Hormones Affect Your Sexual Health
The sexual health of an individual goes beyond sexual activity. It also focuses on pleasure, emotional well-being and the ability to engage in satisfying intimate relationships.
Sexual Changes in Trans Women
For transfeminine people on oestrogen hormone preparations and testosterone blockers, erections may be less frequent, shorter in duration and less difficult to achieve. Long-term use of these hormones may also result in reduced sperm production, semen volume and fertility potential.
If you’re keen to have biological children, you may be advised to discuss fertility preservation options before starting GAHT.
Sexual Changes in Trans Men
For transmasculine individuals, testosterone hormone preparations may introduce changes to the vaginal tissues, which can result in increased sensitivity, dryness, discomfort during penetration and changes in natural lubrication.
For both trans men and trans women, gender affirming hormones may bring changes in the way arousal feels, intensity and the time needed to reach orgasm and areas of sexual sensitivity.
How Gender Affirming Hormones Affect Your Libido
It’s natural to have questions about how gender affirming hormones will affect your sex drive.
For Transfeminine Individuals
When testosterone levels reduce and oestrogen increases, many notice a decrease in spontaneous sexual thoughts and lower interest in sex, particularly in the initial months.
However, not everyone will experience a lower libido. Some find desire gradually returning differently, often resulting in more emotionally connected experiences in response to intimacy.
For Transmasculine Individuals
In contrast, testosterone often has the opposite effect. Within weeks or months of starting on testosterone, many people report increased libido, frequent sexual thoughts, greater spontaneous arousal and increased interest in sexual activity.
Again, the intensity of these effects varies from person to person.
How Eden New Life Guides Trans People Through Changes in Sexual Desire
Gender affirming hormone therapy does have an effect on your sexual desire, arousal, fertility, orgasm and physical sexual performance. At the same time, you may also notice significant improvements in body confidence, emotional well-being, relationship connections and overall quality of life.
Introducing gender affirming hormones changes more than just your sex life. It creates an experience that helps you feel more real to the way you truly are.
And Eden New Life’s team is here to help you create this authentic, true experience. Under the guidance of our online gender-focused care services, you can start your journey towards achieving gender affirmation and a fulfilled sexual well-being.
Our online services include:
Introduction and intake sessions
12 weeks, 24 weeks and annual review sessions
Sign up for our subscription plans, which cover all these sessions and more. Choose from our monthly and yearly subscription plans:
Hormone Advisory Established Plan (an invite-only plan based on clinical review)
Book your first online introductory session today to learn more about our services.
