What would happen if a guy took half a pack of birth control pills?

Answer 1

BC pills have small amounts of "female" hormones in them, including synthetic estrogens and progestins, so if a male took some of them, those hormones would be introduced into his body. Though estrogen and progesterone are commonly known as "female" hormones, males have them too. I don't know if the amount of ingested hormones would be significant compared to the amount already in the male's body. However, if this were a onetime thing, the pills would probably have very minimal effect, especially in regards to feminisation. When transitioning to living as a woman, a male-bodied person has to have estrogen therapy often and regularly in order to get the effects of the hormones. So, I believe BC pills would have very little effect on a male person.

If you suffer transsexualism or want to have hormone therapy, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. You should go to a doctor or endocrinologist so that they can monitor side-effects and prevent anything bad from happening.

A bit more:

Actually, certain Birth Control pills can cause feminization. However, several would have to be taken per day. However, most of the estrogen-containing birth control pills contain one of the most dangerous estrogen analogues called ethinyl-estradiol. While it is about 3 times as potent as 17 beta estradiol as made in the human body, it is about 10 times as toxic to the liver. Related to the liver risk is the risk of blood clots. Ingested estrogens trigger receptors in the liver to produce more clotting factors. This extra load on the liver can contribute to liver damage. The reason for the estrogen receptors in the liver pertain to childbirth in wild animals. They eat the afterbirth. That gives them protein and increases the clotting factors to stop the hemorrhaging from labor. Those receptors are not designed to be triggered all the time. Ovaries release the raw materials to produce estrogen into the bloodstream, and do so in tiny, metered doses, controlled by the pituitary hormones and the menstrual cycle.

While taking any sex hormones without a doctor is risky, taking long-acting estrogens like ethinyl-estradiol or DES by oral administration is the most dangerous. While the Physician's Desk Reference shows all estrogen drugs to have the same risks, it is due to the policies of the FDA. They lump drugs into classes, and if one drug of a class shows a particular risk, it is listed for all of them regardless of what research shows.

Also, the progestins found in most birth control pills tend to have androgenic effects. Any substance that triggers a progesterone receptor is considered a progestin. But progestins can also affect cortisol and androgen receptors. So some progestins can cause emotional instability, rage, oily skin, increased body hair, deepening of the voice, increased appetite, etc. Even worse is that some progestins available outside the US may be linked to harmful side-effects, including cancer.

At any rate, you should see a physician if you need to be on estrogen. They will test your liver functioning, clotting time, electrolytes, prolactin levels (can be elevated by estrogen, and very high can be a sign of a brain tumor), and consider your medical history. While smoking is bad for your health regardless, you particularly should never smoke while taking estrogen pills.