Long Term Hrt

[Guest JCinDenver]

Is there any data out there on long term use of HRT. I know all the basic risks involved (like blood clots & stokes, breast cancer). But what about 5 or 10 years out. I've been on HRT for just over 2 years. I don't have a timeline for SRS. Has anyone in the 40+ group seen any futher changes after the first 2 years?

[Sally]

I moved this one from Introductions to HRT Hormone Therapy and Effects so that you would get more people reading it that will have better information that just in Itroductions.

I haven't started yet so I am no authority but there should be someone along pretty soon who can shead a light on the subject.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Little Sara]

5-10 years should be pretty low risk unless you have genetic enclinations towards certain things. Like if heart diseases run in your family, or something similar. Even then it only increases the risk, it never makes it absolute.

[Guest Zenda]

Kia Ora JCinDenver,

I've been on HRT since 1998,[started in my mid forties] I had my surgery in 2005...However the dosage my doctor had me on[prior to and after surgery] was the lower post op dosage....I've never been on the higher pre op dosage that doctors normally prescribe...I've always been in good health, non smoker, non alcohol drinker, and vegetarian and to date have never had any negative side effects from taking HRT... I see my doctor every three months for a prescription refill and have a blood test once a year...

From a personal observation [bearing in mind I'm no expert 'endocrinologist'], I would say between 18 to 24 months [some reports say 2 to 3 years] HRT would have reached it's peek, that being the breaking down of male fat/muscle tissue and it's redistribution to a more 'female' setting would have been fulfilled, from then on HRT is just maintaining what it had created...However I have read that there could still be a slight increase in breasts growth for up to five years ...As long as you are having regular check up with your doctor, I wouldn't worry about the long term effects...

WARNING... Increasing the recommended dosage is not going to make any real difference to the final out come, by doing so, it could more likely create health problems further down the line...

Here's a good informative link on what one can expect when starting[or in your case already on] HRT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone_repla...male-to-female)

I hope this info is of some help...

Metta Jendar

[Guest Leah1026]

The answer is:

We really don't know, no good, large, long-term studies have been done.

Anecdotally we seem to be doing pretty good. I've personally heard of very few cases of problems. I'm post-op and been on HRT 5+ years now.

[Guest Christine-Louise]

The Hormone effects can go on much much longer than most would imagine, I have been eleven years on a normal dosage, and My breast development only slowed down after ten years, that now seems to be static, I can't have surgery because I have had five Heart Attacks, so I will be continuing on the same treatment for the rest of My life, and it seems not to affect My heart, Mmm I also have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, so I have to have three monthly checks at My Doctors, this does include blood tests as well, (just for safety sake), I have had nothing in the way of treatment for facial hair, but in the last three months even that has gone, so lots of things take there own sweet time.

But as stated there have been no long term studies, as most folks after the op just disappear into the woodwork, I can understand the reasons for that, but of course for folks like Me, in a way it's a case of trial and error having nothing to go by.

[Guest Little Sara]

WARNING... Increasing the recommended dosage is not going to make any real difference to the final out come, by doing so, it could more likely create health problems further down the line...

Just as well, too low a dosage will create very little development. You know the "wisdom" posted on sites like second-type woman that a transsexual woman should look at female relatives and expect a cup lower? It comes from a time when dosages were low and anti-androgens not used. Really, expected development will vary, but unless you're especially resistant to estrogen, you should have development on par with female relatives (though depending on build, it might *look* smaller).

Basically, it resulted in sub-par estrogen levels that created little development. No wonder that's become common wisdom. It was the practice of the 60s-70s, some have carried it on today.

My dosage is by far not "high", but some would probably think it is, somehow, because they'd only take a fraction of it. It's prescribed by an endocrinologist, and he seems to know what he's doing related to dosages.

Post-op, the dosage should remain the same as pre-op, but the anti-androgen can be dropped since testes are no longer there. If opting for orchiectomy, the same applies, no testes, no need for an anti-androgen. If the dosage drops too low, peri-menopause or menopause problems can crop up - most of all: faster aging and osteoporosis.

When using a potent anti-androgen, estrogen should not be fighting off testosterone - it should have the full effect. So when there is no more testosterone, I don't see the wisdom in dropping estrogen. Why should the same effect now be too much if it was unopposed before anyways?

[Guest JCinDenver]

Sally,

Thanks for the redirection of my post. Still finding my way around this wonderful site.

I only see my doctor for blood work once a year. Everytihing always checks out fine. I may have been on a plateau. I think my breast are growing again, but I'm not counting on any major gains. Probably full A or little B at best.

Has anyone ever noticed that sometimes they appear more flat & round, & at other times pointy & more triangular? My wife sure notices the later! They seam to have a mind of their own.