Anyone know of follow-up research?

[melissaK]

Its been a few years now since the 2006 study came out saying HRT can cause your brain features to change toward that of your target gender, with some regions increasing or decreasing in size.

(Pol, H. E H.; Cohen-Kettenis, P. T; Van Haren, N. E M; Peper, J. S; Brans, R. G H; Cahn, W.; Schnack, H. G; Gooren, L. J G et al. (2006). "Changing your sex changes your brain: influences of testosterone and estrogen on adult human brain structure". European Journal of Endocrinology 155: S107–S114. doi:10.1530/eje.1.02248) http://www.eje.org/content/155/suppl_1/S107.full.pdf

It made me wonder about long term brain problems for us, and especially those of us who yo-yo on and off self-prescribed HRT programs. I mean intuitively I don't see how brain size going up and then down and up and down can be a good thing? So, anyone seen a follow-up study?

I did come across this study saying MTF transsexual brains, before HRT, were different from XY males and XX females in a lot of places. http://dbm.neuro.uni-jena.de/pdf-files/Luders-NI09-2.pdf But the 06 and 09 studies aren't compared anywhere that I can see.

always curious

hugs'
'lissa

[Aprilrain]

I can't imagine going on and then off hormones over and over again is good for any part of your body! I have also heard that brains can shrink from HRT. This anecdotally makes sense since woman have smaller heads however I would think that your brain would simply grow to fit the skull cavity. My only problem with any "trans" research is that they use vanishingly small numbers of people for these studies. Hopefully in the future a more concerted effort will be made to gather a statistically useful number of people for such research projects.

[Katesback]

I know that two weeks prior to SRS I had to stop hrt (doctor requirements) and damm I got a bit buggy!

[Jorja]

I have been taking HRT for 32 years. There is nothing wrong with me :jumping::lol::lol2::laughing::bonk::roflmao::sill y::whistling:

[Michelle.M]

. . . It made me wonder about long term brain problems for us, and especially those of us who yo-yo on and off self-prescribed HRT programs.

I hate to say this, but potential brain size changes are the least of your worries. First, why would you go on and off an HRT regimen? I can understand that for some of us finances may be an issue that would cause that, but HRT is very serious business! That back and forth stuff on any health care issue is potentially disastrous, moreso with HRT.

Second, if your HRT is self prescribed you really should stop that immediately and get competent medical advice.

[Frances]

Sounds like one more excuse not to transition!

I use to worry about cancer as there is so much of it in my family. One day, my GP told me to stop worrying about cancer, and to start using my stationary bike. I was more likely to die from a heart attack.

A trans person not transitioning should worry about a bullet hole in the head more than brain size fluctuations. Curiosity is a good quality, but transition is dangerous on many levels. It is a little bit like playing russian roulette. You are more than likely to be fine, but there are lethal risks, which is why it is neither a need nor a want but a HAVE TO.

[melissaK]

Umm, so the answer is "no." As for expressions of personal concern for me, its appreciated. I started in the Trans community with a PO Box and a Tapestry subscription, and I pretty well understand the transition, HRT, and mental health issues. I am interested in the biology of HRT on the human brain with research from MRI and CT scans tools we've never had before. I had no intent to rank the risk, or scare anyone off. @Aprilrain: The 06 study is a frightfully small sample and has been criticized for it. The 09 study is better designed study, with a bigger sample, but still small. Both studies just make observations without linking or making any clinical risk assessment based upon findings such that more questions are raised. I just wondered if anyone had found followup research work in the area.

hugs,
'lissa