Health Risks Of Hormones?

[Clare]

I have read heaps of reports on the side effects of Hormone treatments.

One of the issues that most concerns me is that of increased risk of Cancer. It's related to post menopausal women who undertake Hormone treatment. Some Women are susceptible to certain types of Cancer due to HRT, and I was wondering what TS people have been advised about this?

My Mother died of Breast Cancer and she was on HRT, but there is no direct link in her case.

I know i'm only focussing on one side effect out of many, but thoughts?

Thanks.

[Priss]

My doc did tell me of the increased risk of breast cancer. But then again, isn't that one of the curses of having them to begin with. Of course we can't forget that although not as common, it does affect men as well...

[Maria D]

The longer a person is 'on' estrogen, the greater the risk of breast cancer. That is why HRT increases a woman's risk; not the HRT itself, simply the time she's been 'on' estrogen. For a woman, this is since puberty. For a TS, obviously it's since starting hormones. When I'm 50, about menopause age, I'll have been 'on' for 22 years, compared to a natal woman's 38 or so. My risk is less, about the same as a 34 year old woman. Ish, life isn't exact. I'm not aware of any studies done on TGs to examine this, it's simply based on breast tissue age.
A woman never has a choice about breasts, she just 'gets' the risk. Learning to examine the breasts, knowing what normal is and being able to spot changes are the best way of staying safe.

Take care :)

[Clare]

Of course we can't forget that although not as common, it does affect men as well...Yes and believe it or not, when it does occur, the male form of breast Cancer is a more aggressive type than the equivelant for women. Go figure!

[Caitlintgsd]

And then there's the possibilities of thrombosis and elevated blood pressure, etc.

[kelli]

Just this week a study came out that debunked some of the HRT vs. Breast Cancer data the governent put out several years ago.

The latest studies (2) showed that the use of estrogen alone in patients did not increase their chance of breast cancer. The bad actor in the HRT scheme for GG's appears to be progestorone (sp). In the original govt studies HRT consisted of both estrogen and progestorone. The only thing consistent between the orginal and new studies were the use of minimal doses of hormones.

This was on the nightly news this week and will try to find the data on the internet.

Kelli

[Bev06 GG]

Hi Girls,
Thrombosis is the biggy and some people are more prone to it than others. Both my sisters and my Grandma suffered mild blood clots etc and were strongly advised to come off the pill or HRT. When you think about it, putting foreign bodies into your body isn't natural and probably asking for trouble. Who knows for definite, the doctors dont seem to, all they can do is advise on the probabilities etc.
Take care
BEVxxx

[tori-e]

I'm in the final stages of hormone readiness assessment, so this is a hot topic for me. My mother died at age 50 (1973) of a blood clot induced heart attack (I'm now 48 :eek: ) She was a heavy smoker and was on the pill from the time of its early release. 1960's? (I always remember those round disk they came in back then) I understand that the risk go way up when you smoke. I'm just hoping that a healthy lifestyle, good food and exercise is the best defence against all the other crap we do to our selves as trannies.

Tori

[michelle19845]

i have had 2 relatives that were taking estrogen ( GGs ) ,and they both got breast cancer.if estrogen isn't at the "right number" ,it can cause cancer.the gov. changes the stories on pharmaceutical products all the time trying to make more profit by showing nothing bad gonna happen.always check things out before you get too deep into them.

[MarieTS]

There is something I don't understand that hopefully someone can answer for me.

It is accepted science that women have a lower incidence of thrombosis and coronary artery disease because of their higher estrogen levels relative to men.

Then why is clotting and heart attacks a major risk of taking estrogen? Logic dictates that estrogen use should lower your risk. What am I missing?

[julimac2003]

I do'nt know any of the answers but having been on hormones a number of years ago I did know the risks as I was self medicating Premarin & Androcur but I was only on them for about eighteen months, god it's about the best I ever felt in my whole life!!!.
But about this time I lost my best and only real post op friend Vicki to bowel cancer having known Vic all the way through her TS years and through her op to lose her was devastating and such a waste.
But she wouldn't give up her fags & booze and I guess she payed the ultimate price.
Having had my own scare a few years ago when I had a cancerous rectal polyp
removed and had all the follow ups over the next couple of years I often wonder if cancerous elements are there in our bodies long before they are medically detectable.
I know that early detection usually leads to medical intervention that generally can totally arrest or remit most forms of detectable cancer.
So all I know is that prompt medical intervention by my GP saved my life but I wonder if Vic was in any way harmed by the early version of the Premarin she was taking?
Anybody any theories?
Love Julie

[brianda]

hi iam brianda iam taking natural herb estroven over the counter will help me in growing breast plese answer me thank u

[Maria D]

I do'nt know any of the answers but having been on hormones a number of years ago I did know the risks as I was self medicating Premarin & Androcur but I was only on them for about eighteen months, god it's about the best I ever felt in my whole life!!!.
But about this time I lost my best and only real post op friend Vicki to bowel cancer having known Vic all the way through her TS years and through her op to lose her was devastating and such a waste.
But she wouldn't give up her fags & booze and I guess she payed the ultimate price.
Having had my own scare a few years ago when I had a cancerous rectal polyp
removed and had all the follow ups over the next couple of years I often wonder if cancerous elements are there in our bodies long before they are medically detectable.
I know that early detection usually leads to medical intervention that generally can totally arrest or remit most forms of detectable cancer.
So all I know is that prompt medical intervention by my GP saved my life but I wonder if Vic was in any way harmed by the early version of the Premarin she was taking?
Anybody any theories?
Love Julie

I'm sorry to hear of your loses Julie.

Here in the U.K. bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, and my Grandad is in hospital in the final stages right now. Given those statistics and lack of reported statistics of TS cancers, I think it unlikely that it had any connection tbh, it was just 'one of those things'. Heh, one of those hateful things.

Take care :)

[chantelle]

I wouuld not care about the sickness as I know that our bodies areee strongere at handling dissease than we believe.
THe risk is only there if u see it. like driving in a lightningstorm. We dont think that we could be struck yet we are driving anyway.

Just a thought but isnt the benefits more than the risk.

chantelle.

[Lisa Scott]

My understanding is that there are a number of risks, including increased risk of breast cancer, but more seriously there are thrombosis, liver stress, blood pressure and depending on which hormones you take a variety of other potential problems.

If you are concerned you can speak with your GP about the potential hazards and reduce your risks by changing your regemin accordingly, or at least read up as much as you can BEFORE taking such a risk.

Etc...
Anti androgens
Androcur - known to cause depression
Spironalactone - potasium spareing diuretic

Oestrogens
Premarin (congugated oestrogen) - liver toxicity, blood pressure, thrombosis
ethinyestrodial - high liver toxicity, thrombosis
Progynova (Beta 17 oestradial) - relatively low liver toxicity, thrombosis

There are risks with all synthetic drugs, as they arent meant to be inside your body, and Transsexuals (or others using these drugs) are not using them for their intended purpose.

Try to get only the correct drugs, from a reputable chemist via prescription, and get regular checks for blood pressure and liver function as a minimum, quit smoking, eat a healthy diet and get excercise.

Best regards
Lisa x

[tori-e]

In the past I may have had a bit a cavalier attitude about this. But since having gone through the process with my doctor, I'd agree that only way to do this is under an experienced doctors ongoing care. Even using a regular GP without involving any specialist may be a bad idea.

My doctor sent me for a full series of test before prescribing anything. I had months of psych assessment, blood work, (they took a gallon of blood :eek: – seemed like anyway:D ), ultrasound, plus all the regular prodding and poking you get.

After it all, I had to sign off on a multi-page form indicating I understood all the risk. Initialling a billion times for all of what Lisa mentioned plus many more. Protecting themselves from liability I guess. One that got me was something like "I understand that taking estrogen may result in breast growth." Glad they told me that one!:D

Blood test will now be regular thing and even though I'm currently an AAAAA cup, I will be getting breast exams and mammograms. (Oh great my doc. will be feeling me up!:blushing: )

Tori