Former cricketer Sanjay Bangar's child undergoes hormone replacement therapy. What is it?

Anaya’s transition involved feminising hormone therapy (FHT), a medically prescribed treatment to align physical traits with gender identity.

Anaya Bangar, formerly Aryan Bangar, has gained attention recently for her transition into a transgender woman after undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The 23-year-old cricketer, who had played for clubs like Islam Gymkhana and Leicestershire's Hinckley Cricket Club, now faces the challenges of balancing her identity with her sporting ambitions.

Anaya’s transition involved feminising hormone therapy (FHT), a medically prescribed treatment to align physical traits with gender identity. This treatment uses estrogen and antiandrogens to induce feminine traits such as softer skin, breast tissue development, and reduced facial and body hair. While the therapy helps alleviate gender dysphoria, it can also lead to reduced muscle mass and strength, which posed a significant challenge to Anaya’s cricket career.

She expressed her frustration, stating, "As a trans woman on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), my body has changed drastically. I’ve been losing the muscle mass, strength, muscle memory, and athletic abilities I once relied on. The game I’ve loved for so long is slipping away from me."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar)

Despite the difficulties, Anaya, the daughter of former cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, acknowledged the lack of proper regulations for transgender athletes in cricket, which prevented her from continuing at a professional level. “My testosterone levels are down to 0.5 nmol, the lowest it can be for an average cisgender woman. Despite this, I still don’t have a place to represent my country or play at a professional level as my authentic self,” she wrote on social media.

Hormone replacement therapy, which plays a key role in many transgender people's journeys, also carries risks. While it can lead to improved mental and physical health, it may cause complications like blood clots, infertility, and other health issues. Nonetheless, the treatment helps transgender individuals align their physical features with their gender identity, contributing to better self-esteem and reducing dysphoria.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar)

Anaya's journey has been a path of resilience, and her message to others has been one of courage. She ended her post on a positive note, saying, “Losing strength but gaining happiness.”

ABOUT HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical approach designed to adjust hormone levels in individuals whose bodies naturally produce less than is typical for their desired gender identity. In gender-affirming care, HRT is particularly valuable, offering transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals a way to develop secondary sex characteristics that align more closely with their identity, such as breast development, fat redistribution, or reduced muscle mass.

Feminising hormone therapy (FHT), commonly used by transgender women, typically involves estrogen and, often, antiandrogens to lower testosterone levels. This combination allows the body to take on physical traits typically associated with female development. However, HRT is also used for health conditions like menopause, thyroid issues, and growth hormone deficiencies, making it a versatile treatment approach beyond gender transition.

For gender-affirming HRT, changes in physical appearance are gradual and can take up to two years for the full effects to emerge. Monitoring by healthcare professionals is crucial to manage risks, such as blood clots, cardiovascular changes, or impacts on fertility. While HRT improves self-image and alleviates gender dysphoria, a thorough understanding of both benefits and potential side effects is essential for those considering this journey.