Hormones and cigarettes?

[Guest Nova Maria]

I heard something about blood clots in relationship to smoking and estrogen/progesterone therapy. Can anybody explain this further? Or perhaps a good web page on the topic? I'm having a hard time locating a lot of information.

Nova

[Guest]

Hi Nova,

It's just accepted common knowledge - there probably is written material to back it up, but I'm not aware of it.

I know transwomen who continue to smoke on HRT, and I know non-smokers who have gotten blood clots. But, the risks are there and not worth taking, IMO.

One thing I noticed about smoking is how much it ruined my fingernails and even hair. It cuts down that surface circulation enough to be noticeable. There seems to be little purpose in making your body feminine while ruining it with cigarettes at the same time!

Love, Megan

[Guest kelly_aus]

I can find the link I was looking for now.. But smoking is not advised in combination with HRT.. My gynaecologist and therapist both told me that unless I gave up, I wouldn't be starting. I was told that it dramatically increases the risks of DVT, pulmonary embolism and clotting issues like stroke..

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

How about this????

Taking estrogen increases the risk of blood clots. Blood clots can cause

death, permanent lung damage (clot in the lungs), permanent brain damage

(stroke), heart attack, or chronic problems with the veins in your legs. The

risk of blood clots is much higher for smokers, especially those who are age

40 or higher. The danger is so high that some doctors will not prescribe

estrogen if you are a smoker; most will only prescribe you a low dose as

long as you are still smoking. The risk of blood clots may be reduced by

taking estrogen via skin patch, cream, or gel (rather than pill/injection)

and also by using a lower dose of estrogen.

Donna Jean

[Guest Vixen Amber]

Good to know. I don't have much to live for so I shall keep on puffing..

[Guest Nova Maria]

Well, I guess I'm going to quit smoking, then. Darn.

And Amber....that made me frown. You have everything in the world to live for!!! Never give up, girl.

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

Back when I had first seen my Endo she basicaly told me you keep smoking you can forget about hrt period. Well having been a die hard smoker for 22 straight years ( age 16-38) at 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day habbit. It took me all of 3 days to quit cold turkey , guess I choise the real me over my bad habbit. Funny thing is before that I realy felt there would be no way I would ever be able to quit. Seen my Endo a month later and finaly was able to start on hrt. Started out on low dose the was incressed every 6 months time. This Nov 3rd will be 3 years on hrt for me. Was put on the patches because of the dangers from smoking all those years. They have done very good for me even though they cost like $90 a month. Am only on about half the dose of what my Endo was wanting to get me to but have done so well was no need to spend extra moneys and incress my risks. The risks are very real and cigarettes just make you look older then ya should anyways. Besides the savings of money and better over all health and getting on hrt. Stopping smoking has made me look younger then I have in years. I look younger now then I did 14 years ago. Am not saying quiting smoking is easy at all it takes unreal strength to do and at 3 years as of Oct 3rd smoke free there are still times I have the desire for one. Never will I give in to them again. Having to pretend to be someone I was not for the past fourty years am not about to take chances cause . Darn it I plan on spending at least as much time as the real me.

[~Nova~]

Good to know. I don't have much to live for so I shall keep on puffing..

I hear ya. The only problem is a PE (pulmonary embolis) is really painful and you don't always die. Most people don't. They suffer. A DVT(deep vein thrombosis) just makes you have really ugly legs and makes it painful to get around. Stroke/TIA um, no thanks. I like using the left side of my body. Heart attack, ugh, painful and then a life of drugs and needles.

Being sad is one thing. I get it, heck read my posts, but smoking and HRT? That's like asking for torture.

BTW, I like you, why do you wanna deprive me of a much needed friend? ;-)

Autumn

[Guest GypsyXg]

I'm glad i came across this, its something i had given little thought to. Bye Bye ciggs. I'm throwing them away as soon as I post this.

[Guest Robin Winter]

I have successfully (so far) quit smoking for this reason. I stopped smoking nearly two months before starting HRT, and despite having tried to quit numerous times in the past without success, the prospect of starting hormones was enough encouragement and I've barely had so much as a craving since the day I put them down. It really is more a mental thing than a physical addiction. You have to be ready and doing it for the right reasons, and you have to be mentally prepared to quit.

I'm not certain that I would have been refused hormones if I didn't quit, but it was hinted at and that was good enough for me.

[Guest Pammy]

I am still smoke-free, although I did weaken a little once. I agree that the cravings start off bad, then lessen over time. It's the triggers to smoke that are the hardest to avoid. For me, it was after a meal (can't avoid eating), during/after a beer, while driving and when I am with friends who smoke.

My strategy is whenever the urge strikes me, I ask myself if I would rather be a girl or a smoker. I cannot be both. So far, the answer has been "GIRL, PLEASE!"

I urge everyone who smokes to give them up. You will be glad you did and it's the best thing you can do for yourself.

Love

Pamela