[goodmythical]

Ah, good spot on roll/role.

On HRT, you're right in a modern western perspective (and the specific isolation of androgenic/estrogenic compounds of course), but the practice itself is nearly as ancient as gender variance itself.

The feminizing effects of orchiectomy is well documented in ancient cultures. We've got the Han Dynasty distilling mare urine in 200BCE. Egyptian, Greek, and Chinese medicine using licorice root, spearmint and peppermint used across the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, Pueraria Mirifica (White Kwao Krua) native to the communities of Northern Thailand, and Agua Je (The Curvy Fruit) in Amazonian indigenous traditions.

Surgery is the same story given the existence of eunuchs and that Elagabulus sought surgical relief from his physicians. (^.^)