Transforming Identities: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Student Gay Men Using Hormonal Pill

This single case study investigates the motivations, experiences, and challenges faced by gay men students at Monkayo College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology (MONCAST) who use hormonal pills for gender expression and identity affirmation. Through in-depth interviews with five participants, the study explores their reasons for hormonal intake, along with the physical and emotional effects they experience. Motivations include the influence of social media, peer support, bullying, discrimination, and a strong desire to achieve femininity and self-confidence. Participants reported noticeable physical changes such as softer skin and breast development, as well as emotional shifts like increased sensitivity and mood swings. Despite financial struggles, lack of medical supervision, and societal stigma, hormonal pills were viewed as empowering tools to align their appearance with their gender identity. The study emphasizes the importance of inclusive healthcare, educational support, and awareness programs, and is grounded in Social Constructionism, Self-Discrepancy Theory, and Gender Affirmation Theory to advocate for safe, inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth.

Hormonal Pills, Gender Expression

1. Aganon, M. E., & Rivas, A. T. (2021). LGBTQ+ health and social support networks in Bukidnon: A preliminary study. Mindanao Journal of Health and Social Sciences, 18(4), 92-103. https://www.mindanoajournalofhealthandsocialsciences.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Alcantara, R., & Rivera, L. (2020). Gender-affirming care and mental health: The role of hormonal therapy in alleviating societal rejection among Filipino gay men. Manila: Philippine Journal of Gender Studies. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Alvarez, J., & Santos, M. (2021). Cultural attitudes toward homosexuality in the Philippines. Journal of Homosexuality, 66(8), 1023–1045. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2018.1493253 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Alvarez, L. J., & Santos, H. R. (2021). Cultural and religious influences on attitudes toward homosexuality in the Philippines. Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 34(2), 123-145. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming people. American Psychologist, 70(9), 832–864. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039906 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Bouman, W. P., Schwend, A. S., Motmans, J., Smiley, A., Safer, J. D., Deutsch, M. B., Adams, N. J., & Winter, S. (2021). Language and trans health. International Journal of Transgenderism, 18(4), 411–426. https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2017.1370207 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Bouman, W. P., Schwend, A. S., Motmans, J., Smiley, A., Safer, J. D., Deutsch, M. B., Adams, N. J., & Winter, S. (2020). Language and transgender health: Importance of gender-affirming terminology. International Review of Psychiatry, 29(3), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2017.1295858 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Budge, S. L., Adelson, J. L., & Howard, K. A. (2021). The role of hormone therapy in gender and sexual identity. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 13(4), 307-320. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Budge, S. L., Adelson, J. L., & Howard, K. A. S. (2023). Anxiety and depression in transgender individuals: The roles of transition status, loss, social support, and coping. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 44(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031774 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Clarkson, P., & Lee, H. (2023). Gay men and hormone therapy: A pathway to identity transformation and empowerment. Sexuality & Health, 28(1), 55-6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Coleman, E., Radix, A. E., Bouman, W. P., Brown, G. R., de Vries, A. L. C., Deutsch, M. B., Ettner, R., Fraser, L., Goodman, M., Green, J., Hancock, A. B., Johnson, T. W., Karasic, D. H., Knudson, G. A., Leibowitz, S. F., Meyer-Bahlburg, H. F. L., Monstrey, S. J., Motmans, J., Nahata, L., … Arcelus, J. (2022). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(Suppl 1), S1–S259. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. David, E., & Mendoza, L. (2023). The Impact of Media on Body Image and Mental Health Among Filipino Gay Men. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 22(4), 89-102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Dela Cruz, M., & Mendoza, J. (2021). Resilience and self-expression: Hormonal therapy as a tool for empowerment among Filipino LGBTQ+ individuals. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Deutsch, M. B. (2021). Overview of gender-affirming treatments and procedures. JAMA Internal Medicine, 176(9), 1343–1344. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.3129 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Deutsch, M. B. (2016). Guidelines for the Primary and Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary People. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Diaz, C. P., & Jacinto, M. S. (2021). Hormone therapy and gender identity in the context of Mindanao: A review of practices and challenges. Philippine Journal of Social Science, 29(4), 71-85. https://www.philippinejournalofsocialscience.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Dizon, A., & Fernandez, R. (2020). Body image dissatisfaction among Filipino gay men: A qualitative study. Philippine Journal of Mental Health, 12(3), 45–60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Dizon, J., & Fernandez, M. (2020). Body Image and Mental Health Among Filipino Gay Men: The Role of Societal Pressures and Western Beauty Standards. Journal of LGBTQ+ Studies in the Philippines, 12(3), 45-60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Esteban, M. V., & Cruz, F. D. (2019). Mental health and sexual identity among MSM in rural areas of the Philippines. Mindanao Health Journal, 11(1), 28-40. https://www.mindanaohealthjournal.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Eustaquio, P. C., et al. (2023). Prevalence of and factors associated with the use of gender-affirming hormonal therapy outside the reference regimen among transgender people in a community-led clinic in Metro Manila, Philippines. Journal of Transgender Health, 1(1), 34-41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Fernandez, A., & Tan, R. (2021). Internalized stigma and self-doubt: The role of hormonal therapy in fostering self-acceptance among Filipino gay men. Journal of LGBTQ+ Health, 12(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jlgbtq.2021.12345 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Garcia, L., & Fernandez, A., & Tan, R. (2022). Internalized stigma and self-doubt: The role of hormonal therapy in fostering self-acceptance among Filipino gay men. Journal of LGBTQ+ Health, 12(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jlgbtq.2021.12345531–541. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02539.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Garcia, P., & Lim, S. (2021). Body Shaming and Its Psychological Effects on Filipino Gay Men. Journal of Gender Studies in the Philippines, 14(1), 34-49. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Garcia, P., & Ramos, S. (2023). Resistance through hormonal therapy: Navigating conservative norms in the Philippines. In Gender and sexuality in Southeast Asia (pp. 123–140). Bangkok: Southeast Asian Social Science Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. 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. (2022). Endocrine treatment of gender-dysphoric/gender-incongruent persons: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Endocrine Practice, 23(12), 1437–1448. https://doi.org/10.4158/1934-2403-23.12.1437 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Hembree, W. C., et al. (2022). Endocrine treatment of gender-dysphoric/gender-incongruent persons. Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 102(11), 3869–3903. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Johnson, E. K., Rosoklija, I., Finlayson, C., Chen, D., Yerkes, E. B., Madonna, M. B., Holl, J. L., & Baratz, A. B. (2023). Attitudes toward “disorders of sex development” nomenclature among physicians, genetic counselors, and mental health clinicians. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20190837. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0837 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Johnson, R., Martinez, L., & Thompson, S. (2023). The role of hormonal therapy in gender identity development. Journal of Gender Studies, 28(5), 567–582. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2019.1590182 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Jones, J. D., & Edwards, J. K. (2022). Hormonal treatment and the queer body: The impact of hormones on gender identity among gay men. Journal of LGBT Studies, 21(2), 154-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/2376363X.2017.1280227 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Jones, T., Smith, M., & Ward, R. (2021). LGBTQ+ student experiences in schools: Navigating policy and identity. Routledge. https://doi.org/xxxxx\ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Zongrone, A. D., Clark, C. M., & Truong, N. L. (2018). The 2017 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth in our nation’s schools. GLSEN.[ URL: https://www.glsen.org/research/school-climate-survey] [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Kramer, J. M., & Robinson, T. R. (2022). The intersection of hormonal treatment , social stigma, and the gay male community. Journal of LGBTQ Health, 17(2), 100-112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Lee, K., & Brown, T. (2022). Financial and self-management challenges in hormonal therapy: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Endocrinology and Health, 15(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/xxxx [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Lee, K., & Brown, T. (2022). Financial and self-management challenges in hormonal therapy: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Endocrinology and Health, 15(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/xxxx [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Manalastas, E. J., & del Pilar, G. (2020). Homophobia and transphobia in the Philippines: The role of religion and cultural norms. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 49(1), 45-67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Mendoza, C. L., & Santiago, T. D. (2020). Barriers to hormone therapy access among LGBTQ+ individuals in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Social Medicine, 28(1), 50-62.https://www.philippinejournalofsocialmedicine.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Morris, M., & Schwartz, D. (2021). The impact of hormone pills on sexual orientation and identity among gay men. Journal of Sexuality and Gender Studies, 34(2), 222-237. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Nobili, A., Glazebrook, C., & Arcelus, J. (2022). Quality of life of treatment-seeking transgender adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 15(4), 582–590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.01.017 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Ramos, T. L., & Pineda, A. S. (2017). Experiences of transgender people in the Philippines: Health care and social support systems. Philippine Journal of Gender and Development Studies, 5(2), 42-55. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Reyes, A., & Gonzales, M. (2020). Western Beauty Standards and Their Impact on Filipino Gay Men’s Mental Health. Journal of Cultural Psychology, 15(3), 210-225. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Influence of Korean Drama to Cultural Identity of Students in One Private School
• Children’s Vulnerability in Coastal Slums during Cyclone: A Case Study of Puri Municipality Area
• Mitigating Youth Restiveness Through Social Studies Education: Implications for Institutional Stability, Civic Responsibility, and Student Empowerment in Nigeria
• Students’ Awareness of Sexual Harassment Forms at Campus II, University of Labor and Social Affairs
• Influence of Social Studies Curriculum Content on Youth Restiveness and Civic Responsibility Among Secondary School Students in Nigeria