Bruce Jenner's Transition Treatment! Sex Change Doc Explains Hormone Therapy In 14 Clicks
March 23 2015, Published 7:18 a.m. ET
Bruce Jenner has been taking hormones in his quest to become a real woman. But what exactly does that mean for the former Olympian? RadarOnline.com spoke to a leading sex change doctor, who suggests that the 65-year-old Keeping up with the Kardashians reality star has likely been using estrogen, as evidenced by his enlarged breasts, hairless physique and more feminine appearance. Click through these 14 photos to learn about the modern medicine technique that makes transitioning into a woman not only possible, but easier for patients like Jenner.
The ever-changing Jenner is well into his transition to become a woman. But prior to his gender-reassignment surgery, which, as RadarOnline.com reported, has been postponed until the summer, the reality patriarch-turned-matriarch has been using hormones. "Estrogen is used to help a man transition into a woman and the most effective method of taking estrogen is orally," Dr. Harold Reed, MD, who has performed over 2,000 gender-reassignment surgeries, tells RadarOnline.com exclusively.
EXCLUSIVE: **PREMIUM RATES APPLY** Bruce Jenner involved in collision on PCH near his home in Malibu, California.
"When taking estrogen, I recommend to my patients that they put it under their tongue rather than swallow it and there are several reasons why this method is most effective," says Dr. Reed, who has not treated Jenner.
*EXCLUSIVE* Bruce Jenner dedicates his day to helicopters
"If you swallow the pill, it goes into your blood and it eventually goes into your liver. However, the liver and estrogen don't get along because estrogen in excess come up liver enzymes," Dr. Reed says. "It is best to put it under your tongue if it is dissolvable."
EXCLUSIVE: **PREMIUM RATES APPLY** Bruce Jenner looks very sad as he smokes a cigarette in his car the day InTouch magazine publish a story about his alleged transition to a woman on the cover.
"Tums are dissolvable. Life Saver candies are not," explains Dr. Reed.
EXCLUSIVE: Bruce Jenner and Nadia Volianova together at the 12th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards
"If Bruce Jenner takes an estrogen tablet that is dissolvable, it breaks up in seconds and goes into the mucous of the mouth and then it goes straight into the systemic circulation. This method is best because it doesn't have to make a big pass through the liver."
Bruce Jenner shopping at Rite Aid for medical bandages after getting his morning coffee
"Another commonly used method of taking hormones is in a shot that a patient will get once a week, or every couple of weeks, depending on their doctor's plan," says Dr. Reed.
Bruce Jenner seen with a band on his ring finger and his hair down while getting coffee from Starbucks
- Kooky Jane Fonda’s Foot Fetish Revealed: Fitness Guru, 86, ‘Will Only Date Younger Men With Spotless Trotters’ and ‘Hates Wrinkled Flesh’
- Shine Like The Stars! The Best Celebrity Beauty Brands To Shop This Holiday Season — Get The Look
- Power Couple Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker Unite For An Exclusive Wellness Collaboration — Shop Now
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
According to Dr. Reed, "The downside of the shot is that there is a peak and trough."
EXCLUSIVE: INF – Bruce Jenner wears his wedding ring while grocery shopping
"The day after the shot they are sky high and their levels are way above where they should be. But then a few days later they are way low and it is not ideal at all for someone who is trying to be feminine to actually be more masculine."
Kim Kardashian and her stepdad Bruce Jenner share a quick peck on the cheek and a hug as they go their seperate ways after having lunch in West Hollywood, CA while filming ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’
"I don't like injections at all," Dr. Reed tells RadarOnline.com. "But their main advantage is that they do not have to go through the liver."
Kim Kardashian and Bruce Jenner exit from Little Door Cafe in West Hollywood
"For a woman, estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the month," says Dr. Reed. "They go up towards ovulation and then go back down again after. However, transgender women do not ovulate."
Bruce Jenner and daughter in law are seen out together
“If Bruce Jenner is going to have gender reassignment surgery, then the doctors are going to remove his testicles,” Dr. Reed adds.
EXCLUSIVE: Bruce Jenner steps out alone on Father’s Day
"Following the removal of the testicles, if a person is on estrogen, the estrogen levels should be reduced by one-third after the surgery," Dr. Reed says.
Bruce Jenner gives us the thumbs up!
"The testicles produce testosterone in men and without them, Bruce’s testosterone levels would drop, obviously."
"After a transgender person has the surgery that removes the penis and testicles, they generally no longer require taking estrogen. Estrogen is used to fight testosterone and once Bruce’s testicles would be gone, he would no longer have testicular testosterone."