Many doctors, nurses, and medical staff, including pharmacists, genuinely inform you of the positive effects of certain drugs, sometimes to the extent that you have patient counseling to learn of the potential harms they have, if not taken properly. However, with the push for gender ideology, many of these drugs are still being prescribed for children and teens, even with the EO going out to block and ban gender-affirming care. Here’s a list of the side effects of each drug and how common or uncommon they are:
1. Cross-Sex Estrogen (Estradiol)
Side Effects & Commonality:
• Breast tenderness or pain – Common (20–50%).
• Weight gain – Common (10–20%; higher unmonitored).
• Nausea or vomiting – Common (10–20% early, often subsides).
• Mood swings or depression – Variable (10–30%; worse unmonitored).
• Headaches or migraines – Uncommon (5–10%; higher unmonitored with overdose).
• Liver strain or elevated liver enzymes – Uncommon (1–5% oral; rare transdermal; higher unmonitored).
• Gallbladder disease or gallstones – Uncommon (1–5%; higher oral, unmonitored unclear).
• Hyperprolactinemia (rarely prolactinomas) – Uncommon (1–5%; prolactinomas <0.5%; higher unmonitored).
• Increased risk of blood clots – Uncommon (1–5% monitored; 5–10%+ unmonitored, higher with oral forms or smoking).
• Elevated risk of stroke or heart attack – Rare (<1% monitored; uncommon 2–5% unmonitored with risk factors).
• Increased risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast cancer) – Rare (<1% short-term; uncommon long-term unmonitored).
2. Progesterone (Micronized Progesterone or Progestins)
Side Effects & Commonality:
• Breast tenderness – Common (20–40%).
• Bloating or water retention – Common (10–30%).
• Mood changes (depression, irritability, or anxiety) – Variable (10–30%; worse unmonitored).
• Weight gain – Common (10–20%; higher unmonitored).
• Fatigue or drowsiness – Common (10–20%).
• Increased appetite – Uncommon (5–15%).
• Headaches – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Acne or oily skin – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Risk of blood clots (additive with estrogen) – Uncommon (1–5% with estrogen; higher unmonitored).
• Potential insulin resistance or worsening glucose tolerance – Rare (<1% monitored; uncommon 1–5% unmonitored).
• Rare risk of liver dysfunction – Rare (<1%; higher unmonitored with synthetics).
3. Spironolactone
Side Effects & Commonality:
• Increased urination – Common (20–50%).
• Low blood pressure or dizziness – Common (10–20%; higher unmonitored).
• Fatigue or lethargy – Common (10–20%).
• Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, cramps, or diarrhea) – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Leg cramps or muscle weakness – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium, potentially fatal) – Uncommon (1–5% monitored; 5–15%+ unmonitored).
• Reduced kidney function – Rare (<1% monitored; uncommon 1–5% unmonitored).
• Allergic reactions (rash) – Rare (<1%).
4. Cross-Sex Testosterone (e.g., Testosterone Cypionate or Enanthate)
Side Effects & Commonality:
• Infertility – Common (50–80% long-term).
• Increased cholesterol (higher LDL, lower HDL) – Common (10–30%; worse unmonitored).
• Polycythemia (elevated red blood cell count) – Uncommon (5–10% monitored; 10–20%+ unmonitored).
• Mood changes (irritability, aggression, or instability) – Uncommon (5–15%; higher unmonitored).
• Weight gain – Uncommon (5–15%).
• Vaginal atrophy or dryness – Uncommon (5–15%).
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) – Uncommon (5–10%; higher unmonitored).
• Headaches or migraines – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Sleep apnea – Uncommon (1–5%; higher unmonitored).
• Liver strain or damage – Rare (<1% injections; uncommon 1–5% oral, higher unmonitored).
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease – Rare (<1% short-term; uncommon 1–5% unmonitored long-term).
5. GnRH Agonists (e.g., Leuprolide, Triptorelin)
Side Effects & Commonality:
• Hot flashes or night sweats – Common (30–60%; dose-dependent).
• Reduced libido – Common (20–50%).
• Fatigue or lethargy – Common (10–20%).
• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, or redness) – Common (10–20% with injectables).
• Mood changes (irritability, depression, or anxiety) – Variable (10–30%; worse unmonitored).
• Decreased bone density (risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis) – Uncommon (5–10% short-term monitored; 10–20%+ unmonitored long-term, no calcium/vitamin D).
• Headaches – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Muscle or joint pain – Uncommon (5–10%).
• Weight gain – Uncommon (5–15%).
• Delayed growth plate closure (potential height impact) – Variable (depends on age/duration; height impact rare <1% monitored, unclear unmonitored).
• Rare risk of pituitary apoplexy (sudden pituitary gland issue) – Rare (<0.1%; unmonitored risks unknown).
Unmonitored Risks:
Estrogen: Clot and liver risks spike without dose checks or risk factor management.
Progesterone: Metabolic and clot risks increase with excessive dosing.
Spironolactone: Hyperkalemia can be lethal without potassium monitoring.
Testosterone: Polycythemia and cardiovascular risks escalate without blood work.
GnRH Agonists: Bone density loss accelerates without calcium/vitamin D or monitoring, especially long-term.
When we give children these drugs, we unnecessarily expose them to a lifelong risk of unwanted side effects, including the possibility of death. If these drugs are obtained through other means than a doctor, such as the black market, the risks of complications are much higher because the person taking them is not being monitored by medical staff. These drugs are highly dangerous if not properly monitored because there is a true risk of death or other lifelong issues that may incapacitate and disable someone.
The gender ideologues pushing the "gender-affirming care" narrative have gotten the medical and mental health establishments to go along with the idea that affirming gender is the only answer to perceived gender dysphoria. We have to ask ourselves why we’re seeing a greater rise in gender dysphoria than at any other time in history. The reason for this increase is social effects, peer pressure, personal perceptions, and more—through the affirmation of a belief not centered in biological reality but in emotional psychology (Littman, 2018). When children show a propensity for playing with toys or other items associated with the opposite sex, it is mainly out of curiosity rather than gender dysphoria. It is not even rapid-onset gender dysphoria (ROGD); rather, this curiosity is being misinterpreted, with parents jumping to the conclusion that their child must be transgender, further reinforcing the belief through affirmation.
This truly is a crime against humanity. The willful push for a child to be transgender is based on an errant belief in an ideology that is unproven without longitudinal and historical rigor and testing (D’Angelo et al., 2021). This is harmful to children on so many levels: mentally, the toll it will take on a child throughout the rest of their life; emotionally, the toll that may lead them down paths of regret; and physically, the toll of a shortened life, a disability, or even the possibility of death. People are blindly accepting the medical and mental health establishments, professionals who are supposed to help guide patients and clients down a healthy path. However, they do not need to affirm gender as part of treatment, yet they choose to. Challenging these professionals is something we all should be doing, not blindly accepting them on faith.I once talked to a PA (physician’s assistant) about this topic, and she surmised that the patient had already sought mental health care, without even checking with the patient’s mental health provider. It was shocking to learn that she did not verify the patient’s mental health status and instead blindly took the patient’s word that they were seeing someone.
Now, consider the fact that parents are taking their children to these types of providers in their communities. And if they can’t find one locally, they will travel just to affirm a child’s displayed gender. With the “gender-affirming care” model, this has become a pipeline to harming children in the name of ideology rather than prioritizing their actual mental health. These are the challenges we face in the fight against the 'gender-affirmation care' model. Few medical and mental health professionals oppose this ideology, yet those who do are often silenced. Speaking out puts them at risk of losing their licenses and practices.
This is deeply concerning because the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association are closely tied to WPATH, which has been exposed for corruption by journalists and others. Additionally, the American Medical Association (AMA) is heavily influenced by pharmaceutical companies. Consider the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who prioritize gender-affirming care over protecting children from harm. This system functions as an industry seeking lifelong patients, both medically and psychologically. At the end of the day, if fewer people transition, how will these institutions continue to profit? As someone who transitioned nearly thirty years ago and has since detransitioned, I have witnessed firsthand the growing dangers of the gender affirmation model. When I transitioned, I spent two years in therapy before being prescribed cross-sex hormones to feminize my body. There was far greater gatekeeping then compared to today, where reports emerge of individuals walking into a clinic and leaving with cross-sex hormones within half an hour, often without a blood test (Turban & Keuroghlian, 2018). Additionally, my therapy sessions never addressed my underlying trauma (Giovanardi et al., 2021). Looking back, I believe that if I had properly confronted my trauma, I might never have transitioned. However, hindsight is always speculative.
Our goal should be to protect children from these harms. Children are not just precious gifts; they are our greatest resource for an enduring legacy. Safeguarding them is a responsibility we must all take seriously. If we do not stand up for them now, who will in the future? We are already witnessing the devastating effects of gender ideology on society. Transgender shooter Audrey Hale killed six people, including three children, at a Nashville school (Woods & McCord, 2023). In Indiana, transgender teen Trinity Shockley planned a Valentine’s Day school massacre (Cohen, 2025). Cults like the Zizians, linked to the brutal murder of a Pennsylvania couple, reveal how this violence is spreading (Davis & Lease, 2025). This is not just a political issue; it is a growing mental health crisis leaving children with lifelong scars.
That is why we must act now before this becomes an irreversible failure. The tide is turning. President Trump’s executive orders banning “gender-affirming care,” supported by several states, are a step in the right direction. However, many organizations continue to defy these orders. We must put pressure on state legislators, governors, school boards, and other key decision-makers. Standing up and speaking out can make a difference. Attending a school board meeting or testifying before lawmakers takes only an hour, yet it can have a lasting impact. There is plenty we can do, but we must act now, before it is too late.
References
For more studies and data resources, you can visit the Studies section.
Ashley, F. (2019). Gatekeeping hormone replacement therapy for transgender patients is dehumanizing. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(7), 480–482. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2018-105293
Bhasin, S., Brito, J. P., Cunningham, G. R., Hayes, F. J., Hodis, H. N., Matsumoto, A. M., Snyder, P. J., Swerdloff, R. S., Wu, F. C., & Yialamas, M. A. (2018). Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103(5), 1715–1744. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229
Carel, J. C., Eugster, E. A., Rogol, A., Ghizzoni, L., Palmert, M. R., & ESPE-LWPES GnRH Analogs Consensus Conference Group. (2009). Consensus statement on the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in children. Pediatrics, 123(4), e752–e762. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-1783
Chen, D., Strang, J. F., Kolbuck, V. D., Rosenthal, S. M., Wallen, K., Waber, D. P., ... & Poldrack, R. A. (2020). Consensus parameter: Research priorities for gender nonconforming children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 146(5), e20201740. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-1740
Cohen, L. (2025, February 14). Indiana teen accused of plotting Valentine’s Day school shooting was obsessed with the Parkland mass shooter, police say. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/14/us/indiana-teen-valentines-day-school-shooting-plot
D’Angelo, R., Syrulnik, E., Ayad, S., Marchiano, L., Kenny, D. T., & Clarke, P. (2021). One size does not fit all: In support of psychotherapy for gender dysphoria. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50(1), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01844-2
Davis, L., & Lease, J. (2025, February 17). Daughter of slain Delco couple, apparent cult leader tied to murders, arrested in Maryland. NBC Philadelphia. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/daughter-slain-delco-couple-cult-leader-arrested-maryland/4165998/
Giovanardi, G., Vitelli, R., Maggiora Vergano, C., Fortunato, A., & Lingiardi, V. (2021). Attachment and trauma in the development of gender dysphoria: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 635897. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635897
Gluck, G. (2022). Top Academic Behind Fetish Site Hosting Child Sexual Abuse Fantasy, Push To Revise WPATH Guidelines. Reduxx.
Hembree, W. C., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Gooren, L., Hannema, S. E., Meyer, W. J., Murad, M. H., Rosenthal, S. M., Safer, J. D., Tangpricha, V., & T’Sjoen, G. G. (2017). Endocrine treatment of gender-dysphoric/gender-incongruent persons: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 102(11), 3869–3903. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-01658
Hughes, M. (2024). WPATH Files. Environmental Progress.
Littman, L. (2018). Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria. PLoS ONE, 13(8), e0202330. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202330
Plovanich, M., & Weng, Q. Y. (2017). Spironolactone in dermatology: A review of its use in acne, hirsutism, and other dermatologic conditions. Dermatologic Clinics, 35(4), 525–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2017.06.013
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Turban, J. L., & Keuroghlian, A. S. (2018). Dynamic gender presentations: Understanding transition and “detransition” among transgender youth. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(7), 451–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.03.016
Woods, A., & McCord, C. (2023, March 28). Nashville school shooter hid guns in parents’ house. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65094657