Will We Live Longer?

[Traci Elizabeth]

In "general", men die sooner than women.

So will those of us who are on MTF Hormones and/or those who have had an Orchiectomy or SRS in "general" live longer than we would have as a male?

I guess that is one of those questions you will never know and just makes the mind spin endlessly!

[Shapeshiffter]

Iv'e seen data for both, My gF says we are a new species. Start a chart. Some of us are fairly old.

Brighid

[Bree-asaurus]

If I can make it to 60, I'm good. As soon as I can't take care of myself, I'm audi! :P

[Traci Elizabeth]

If I can make it to 60, I'm good. As soon as I can't take care of myself, I'm audi! :P

60? Not me! I want to be a centenarian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bree-asaurus]

60? Not me! I want to be a centenarian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family doesn't have a great history of making it too far without major health issues... top issue being DEATH! So 60 seems about average for me... lol.

[Traci Elizabeth]

My family doesn't have a great history of making it too far without major health issues... top issue being DEATH! So 60 seems about average for me... lol.

There is nothing written on your forehead stating that you will die at age 60. You may very well be the exception in your family.

[Jorja]

6,342 and counting and that is still not long enough. Besides, I still have a lot of things on my bucket list. :)

[CorrieK]

I think men just die quicker because they are generally more wreckless. Usually resulting from a culture of "Man Up." I notice my conversations with women a lot of it is about medical and doctors and such, but with men no such thing. A lot rarely go to the doctor. Males tend to be the most in prisons and violent groups so murder and death is a lot higher causing the average to be lower. Men also seem to be more into drugs and cigarettes and of course BEER. While women do this too, men seem to be the worst . Again most of this is just observation of my male friends and growing up but that is what I observed.

[RADER]

I have been waiting for 60+ years to retire, so I could dress more often.
Now I do not want to die, just when I am starting to have a little fun.
My wife would agree with this statement also.
Rader

[melissaK]

Hmmm. Would be nice if HRT bought us a few years. Certainly it has improved my mental health and happiness and that has to improve my chances. And, if HRT eliminates the desperate feelings that lead those in our group who are untreated to take their own life, then HRT is buying us longer lives.

But, to stick to the "in general" point you are trying to make, it seems unlikely.

Current genetic researchers are concluding that even after considering lifestyle and job differences that impact longevity, genetic women likely live a bit longer because they have XX chromosomes, and genetic men are XY chromosomes. Some geneticists are explaining it this way: if a genetic woman has a gene on one X chromosome that say makes her susceptible to the flu, she has a second X chromosome with different genes and she may have a back-up gene that will give her resistance to the flu. A genetic man with a flu susceptibility gene on his X chromosome is screwed because the Y chromosome is small and has genes which are useless for much other than triggering male traits. (Go read geneticist Barbara Midegon's book "Women are Mosaics.") And since HRT and SRS doesn't changes our chromosomes, we remain in the statistically shorter lived XY group.

hugs,
'lissa

[Julia_in_Pa]

So will those of us who are on MTF Hormones and/or those who have had an Orchiectomy or SRS in "general" live longer than we would have as a male?

This is the question and if those of you that are not on hormones or have had any genital surgery would please refrain from answering the OP's question it would be appreciated.

It's not about male survival rate nor is it about getting time to cross dress.
You apparently are allowed to chime in but since it doesn't have anything to do with these two things why would you want or feel the need to?


I've been on HRT for over eleven years and have found hormone therapy to be life giving concerning the calming emotional and physical effect that HRT gave me and continues to give me thus sparing me from a very dark path back in 2001.

With that said I completely believe that my overall health suffered and my life expectancy has been shortened due to my transition as it compares to someone who would have felt that they had an option not to transition.

I transitioned to avoid death but the process of transition aged me and has caused various health concernes to rear their head earlier due to the brutal stress, anxiety and depression involved.

Many transitioned TS and IS people simply disappear into the fabric of society not to be heard from again but for the most part most tend to make their presence known within the confines of the medical establishment.
Medical statistics are of course kept on transitioned TS and IS people when they participate within the medical establishment post social/surgical transition.
Out of these statistics the number of elderly transitioned TS and IS statistically doesn't exist.
That should tell you something.


Julia

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Yes julia , i would guess you are correct..

We transition to extend our lives, but only from a perspective of each of us individually...its transition or die for many...of our own hand or from stress and depresssion...

In general tho, compared to cisgendered people..its a physical journey, with massive body changes inside and out...i can't imagine how that would extend life vs. the general population...i would imagine our gender issues could easily complicate our medical picture if dealing with issues that impact men and women differently...doctors are great, but my mom always said they are just g*D damn good guessers....its harder to guess for us...

[Kathryn Martin]

I have GOT to quit smoking!!!

I think it is very dangerous to draw inferences from actuarial statistics about life expectancy. There are so many non-transition related factors that combine to give you a life span that I don't think that hormones and SRS factor much in this plethora.

One of the most life prolonging factors is happiness. Living a good life and knowing that it is a good life probably have a much greater influence on your life span than anything else. You can't measure it, but it has been proven that this is in fact the case.

Now being fully aware of what is actually removed during SRS and what remains, I am not entirely sure that I could be characterized for actuarial purposes as male anymore. Genetically this may be the case (although at some point I will do DNA testing) but my entire body chemistry and physiology has changed. So, to me this is a moot question and it certainly makes your head spin until you realize it's a waste of time since we cannot answer it.

[Michelle.M]

http://www.studiokroma.com/images/Men-Die-Younger.jpg


The reason women live longer than men is mostly statistical and only slightly biological or genetic.

Men tend to engage in high risk behavior, like extreme sports and dangerous occupations. Men go to war in greater numbers than women (the current war has reduced, but not eliminated that difference). There are more men in prison (where they often die), and therefore there are more men engaging in the high-risk violent crimes that got them there.

Men suffer from heart disease more than women but that gap is unfortunately closing rapidly. And of course there's that pesky prostate business.

Will we live longer than men? If for no other reason that for just being happier, I'd say so!

[Stephanie-L]

As several folks here have noted, you need to seperate the medical factors from the societal/cultural factors. Both have an impact on our longevity. So, things that are societal, like high risk behaviors, going to war, etc, I suspect that most of us "older" transitioners, have already passed that stage, so that shouldn't have much impact on us. As for the medical factors, possibly. Women do have a lower incidence of heart disease, and estrogen is "One" of the factors in that. Also, HRT is similar to some of the treatments for prostate cancer, so it may help there. Has anyone heard of a transwoman, who didn't already have prostate cancer, developing it? Of course you have to look at the other side too. We may actually be more at risk for breast cancer than a post menopausal woman because of the larger amounts of estrogen in our blood. Then, again as others have noted, you have to look at the mental/emotional aspect. Are we happier? Happy people tend to live longer. All in all a very interesting question, I wonder if there has been a study done?...........Stephanie

[MC-lite]

I think that there are two possibilities:

1) We (us who have been on HRT or who have had surgery) are less stressed, so there's less stress on our bodies.

2) If the natal female counterparts of our families live longer, that might come from estrogens. This may get triggered in us, because on a cellular level, our bodies truly do become female over time.

I feel so much better, although I have my up days and my down days. If I was still in "man-mode", I'd be counting the days till death.

But that's another story. :)


I have GOT to quit smoking!!!

That's -exactly- what I was thinking. (As I reach for my cup of coffee and my morning cigarette.)

Just thinking about it, mind you. :)

[Traci Elizabeth]

Also, HRT is similar to some of the treatments for prostate cancer, so it may help there. Has anyone heard of a transwoman, who didn't already have prostate cancer, developing it?...........Stephanie

The PROSTATE issue - thanks for reminding me! My GYN reminds me that even after SRS, I still can have prostate issues and that I need that monitored just like my annual mammograms for my breasts. So, even though I am a woman, I will still have to "bend over" during annual physical exams - how degrading!

I also agree that family medical history plays a role in our lifespan as well be we women or men. But as both Kathryn and I stating in my original question, dwelling on this life-span issue will spin your head and obviously there is no answer.

[LeaP]

So will those of us who are on MTF Hormones and/or those who have had an Orchiectomy or SRS in "general" live longer than we would have as a male?

I guess that is one of those questions you will never know and just makes the mind spin endlessly!

Timely question for me ...

The question has crossed my mind. I assumed that HRT might shorten life, even though T produces physical and emotional stress, because of the introduction of new steriods in heavy doses, and because of the stress of inducing a virtual second puberty, never mind the oft-listed side effects. In the end, I don't really care, though.

[Julia_in_Pa]

In the end, I don't really care, though.


And neither do I Lea. It's quality of life and not quantity.
If I die tomorrow even if it was directly or indirectly caused by transition I will feel complete because I dd something about this.



Julia

[Traci Elizabeth]

And neither do I Lea. It's quality of life and not quantity. Julia


Well I certainly agree that "Quality" of life is most important BUT when you are on your death bed, you will be wishing you ALSO had "quantity!"

[Jordie]

I do believe the reason for men usually dying before women is because of different factors. Stress being the number one. I believe men inherit the stress of the world by acting on the pressure of society. For men the responsibility of usually being the head of the household (although this is changing a lot lately) adds an immense sense of responsibility and puts them in a constant fight-or-flight response, being hyperarousal and in a constant stress response.
As per Transgender women, I do believe there is a possibility that this can be different and could end up living a little longer due to the change in lifestyle, but again, it is just a possibility. I wonder about Trasngendered men......
I don't believe HRT can contribute or speed up the dying process in the body, a person who is genetically prone to get sick, will get sick with or without HRT. We must strive to keep ourselves healthy by living a healthy lifestyle not only at the physical level but emotional and psychological as well.
Exercise everyday, I mean everyday... eat your fruits and vegetables everyday..., give up animal processed food and practice any relaxation technique to release the mind of unnecessary stress.

[suzy1]

Well I certainly agree that "Quality" of life is most important BUT when you are on your death bed, you will be wishing you ALSO had "quantity!"

I have never agreed more with another members post!:)

I want both and I meen to get them if I possibly can.;)

[JLynn17]

I know coming out starting HRT and transitioning into the person I feel comfortable being and not just trying to imitate my other guy friends which is pretty much how I got how I acted was by watching my male friends, now I'm being me I'm happy and for the first time in my life I promised God that my life would end in His hands on not mine since suicide has been such a heavy thought in my mind so many times in years past, but my mental and emotional state of being me has added years to my life for sure

[LeaP]

Well I certainly agree that "Quality" of life is most important BUT when you are on your death bed, you will be wishing you ALSO had "quantity!"

No doubt, but when your thoughts are so often on ending things, the quality part weighs a lot heavier.

[danielleb]

Not to bring down the party, but why is everyone so easily discounting the effects of a lifetime spent ingesting/injecting/absorbing and processing a lifetime's worth of drugs? It's not just the drugs themselves but also the carriers that you're taking in and your body has to deal with.

[Bree-asaurus]

Not to bring down the party, but why is everyone so easily discounting the effects of a lifetime spent ingesting/injecting/absorbing and processing a lifetime's worth of drugs? It's not just the drugs themselves but also the carriers that you're taking in and your body has to deal with.

Well... there is a decent percentage of the non-trans population that take drugs most of their lives as well... lol

We are a medicated society.

[CharleneT]

I need to go back and redo the searches, but I believe that the medical profession's opinion is that HRT followed by SRS will shorten your potential life span (which of course varies...) by about 8 to 10 years. You are actually increasing some risk factors, not decreasing very many. The HRT in particular is the culprit - especially if you are on Premarin and Provera.

Of course, the most important fact to remember is that they have no clear evidence in any direction - due to the near complete lack of any research into the affects of cross hormone therapy or surgeries such as SRS.

[Persephone]

Go read geneticist Barbara Midegon's book "Women are Mosaics."

hugs,
'lissa

Dear Melissa,

Thank you for the very interesting reference! Now, if I could only find a copy in the local college library, or the local county library, or a used copy for less than $25...

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Traci Elizabeth]

I believe that the medical profession's opinion is that HRT followed by SRS will shorten your potential life span (which of course varies...) by about 8 to 10 years.

You are kidding I hope! Eight to ten years - that sucks if true!

So you are saying if one is on Premarin and Provera, get off of it before the grim reaper makes a visit?

[Julia_in_Pa]

That's OK if my life is shortened by HRT, I greatly extended my life by starting HRT years ago.



Julia

[danielleb]

That's OK if my life is shortened by HRT, I greatly extended my life by starting HRT years ago.

That's the takeaway from this excercise! :)

There are no real advantages to being TS, we're simply doing the best with what we've been dealt. To that end the medical community is not giving us a miracle drug, simply deciding to increase our quality of lives through the use of medication. But it's never good to be on any medication for any prolonged period.

So know the risks. Don't just search for the rewards. :straightface:

[kimdl93]

I really can't be sure....the female relatives of my parent's generation have all made it into thier 90s. With the men, it was a mixed bag with several dying in their 60s. But, tobacco and alcohol contributed to the earlier deaths. I don't smoke, I work out regularly and I'm trying to keep my weight at a decent level....so we'll see.