If you’ve spent any time in transfem forums, you’ve probably seen it: talk of “boofing prog.” No, it’s not a joke. It’s real, it’s medical, and—done right—it’s potentially life-changing. Boofing, in this context, refers to taking progesterone pills rectally rather than orally, and it’s not nearly as outrageous as it sounds.
While the term “boof” once meant little more than a frat-boy euphemism or club kid cautionary tale, it’s finding new life in trans communities. Trans women seeking to optimize their hormone regimens are increasingly turning to this method—not to be edgy, but because it works. Rectal administration, known medically and totally unironically as “a valid delivery route,” bypasses the liver and digestive tract, resulting in better absorption and longer-lasting hormonal effects. That means more feminizing power, and less waste.
Why the Butt?
Let’s get into the biology. When you swallow a pill, your liver gets first dibs on it, metabolizing it and reducing its overall effectiveness. That’s especially true for progesterone, which is often poorly absorbed through the stomach. But when taken rectally? Suddenly that same little softgel avoids the digestive system and goes straight into the bloodstream, via the very thin, very absorbent lining of the rectum. More hormone, longer half-life, bigger results.
“More of the drug reaches systemic circulation with less alteration on route,” explains health experts. Translation: you get more bang for your butt. It’s not a party trick; it’s pharmaceutical efficiency.
How to Do It (Yes, Really)
Let’s talk logistics. First, ask your doctor if boofing is safe for you. It might sound like TikTok pseudoscience, but if done correctly, this is a legitimate method. You’ll want to use a standard progesterone capsule—the soft kind. After cleaning yourself and making sure you’re healthy (no upset stomachs or digestive drama, please), you poke a small hole in the capsule, lube it up, and insert it with a finger about one joint deep. That’s it. No syringes, no drama.
Best done before bed, boofing your pill lets your body absorb it slowly and steadily overnight. Oh, and fair warning: many trans women report a temporary but very noticeable spike in libido. We’re not saying it turns you into a nympho—but clear your schedule.
Impact on the Trans Community
Let’s be real—access to affirming, knowledgeable healthcare for trans people is still a mess. That means tips like these often get passed in whispers, Reddit threads, or group chats. And while some clinicians are finally catching up, many trans women are forced to self-educate, experiment, and advocate for themselves when it comes to hormone management.
Boofing, as cheeky as it sounds, is part of a much larger reality: trans people are experts in their own bodies. From choosing regimens to inventing slang to finding community workarounds for a system that often leaves them behind, this is more than medical trivia—it’s queer resilience in action.
And if the price of that knowledge is a few raised eyebrows? Honey, we’ve dealt with worse.