Drugs Are Dangerous, Drugs Can Kill

And That Includes Hormones

by Kathy Ann Noble

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Why as a transsexual was I never made aware of the possible effects that H.R.T. would have on me? I was put on hormones with no explanation of the side effects or symptoms that I am now encountering. I have had to compare my feelings with pre- and post- menopausal women.

If these symptoms were known as per "Hormone Therapy - General Outline" on the web, why was I not forewarned? It would have given me an insight into what to expect, rather than finding out after the onset of the symptoms.

I am producing Prolactin naturally and was told initially "Men do not produce this hormone", yet in the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care, latest version, it is mentioned on page 11: "A pre-treatment Prolactin level should be obtained and repeated at 1, 2 and 3 years. If Hyper-prolactemia does not occur during this time, no further measurements are necessary."

Biological males undergoing oestrogen treatment should be monitored for breast cancer and encouraged to engage in routine self-examination. As they age, they should be monitored for prostate cancer. In hormone therapy, Prolactin is put as one of the tests required before actually embarking on H.R.T., along with liver function, kidney function, testosterone levels and oestrogen levels.

My Prolactin was at 1500 and was down to 979 at the last testing. Tests have not been done for several months - why not?

I intend to ask this question at my next meeting with my endocrinologist.

Prolactin is produced during puberty to form the breasts. It is also produced for lactation in pregnant women. Statistics show 30% of the general population have Pituitary Adenoma, a non-cancerous benign tumour of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Most are unaware of it, and it never causes a problem. This gland controls the sex hormones, body temperature, metabolism, calcium in the blood and to and from the bones. What symptoms are seen depends on which part of the gland the tumour is located in. With H.R.T. these can become quite apparent. The most common is raised blood Prolactin levels in response to oestrogen intake. In transsexuals, if large doses of an oestrogen hormone such as Premarin and Estigyn or if one is put on the Pill in the hope of increasing breast size or speed of breast development this can often have the opposite effect, and can cause lactation ranging from minor nipple discharges to full on "need nursing pads" type milk production.

This is bothersome and embarrassing. If not controlled, excessive oestrogen levels can lead to eyesight problems by causing the tumour to grow putting pressure on the optic nerves which could lead to eventual blindness. A doubling of the blood Prolactin levels can mean a doubling in tumour size. This is one of the less common problems that can occur. Another more common problem with overuse of oestrogen is the possibility of blood thickening and clotting. This can be a significant problem that can cause thrombosis, varicose veins and even strokes. You may also encounter symptoms of menopause, irritability, emotional outbursts, general emotional instability, spontaneous crying or hot and cold flushes.

At present I am experiencing all of the above and am only coming to terms with the problems because of talking to my women friends. I also suffer hard nipples, sensitive nipples and breasts and itchy breasts that at times appear swollen and are painful to touch. This has been going on for longer than the two or three months after which it is supposed that these feelings subside.

There can also be varying degrees of depression, bouts of unexplained crying similar to "baby blues" which women suffer after giving birth. I liken this phase to the "post-operative regret phase". You have all the redistribution of body fat and hair to contend with. Fat moves from the tummy, back and shoulders to the thighs, hips and bottom. There is usually some weight gain associated with this, which is harder to get rid of than before, and the general rounding of the body into a more female shape is quite noticeable. Upper body strength diminishes and voice may also change, becoming noticeably higher.

Taking Androcur, some notice a change in their fingernails, which become brittle and peel and hair can become dry and brittle. If all of this is known then we should be informed of these possible consequences caused of H.R.T. As far as I can ascertain, no one that I know who is either pre- or post-operative has been made aware. We have in the main found out ourselves if we are predisposed to do some research. At present I am at both ends of the scale as I see it, being both into puberty and menopause. I am only now finding out what it all means, as my Prolactin was found to be pumping out in 1997 after checks of my pituitary in 1998 confirmed no tumour. The Prolactin worked its job perfectly, and my entire body started to change. Breasts started to grow, skin texture changed, musculature altered, weepy, softer nature, but no one could explain why, other than try male H.R.T., which did not work.

It was then decided to "go with the female hormones" in 1999 and since then I have changed dramatically. I did not go onto female H.R.T. until March 2001, as we wanted to see what my natural Prolactin production would do. From March 2001 there have been more symptoms from introduced hormones, not those made naturally. I had S.R.S. in November 2001 and am extremely happy with my new self, but must admit to the odd occasion recently of wishing to end it all because of all the symptoms and effects they are having on me. It is hard enough for born women to come to terms with their mental and physical changes during menopause, so it must be doubly hard for us to come to terms with all of this. They have to come to terms with puberty as well, but at a different time.

With us it seems all in one, no wonder we tend to flip out. I will survive and not become another transsexual suicide statistic, but now believe I know why so many do opt to end it all. Because of the lack of understanding on my part and the lack of documentation, I have been on the brink several times recently, with no access to professional help available when required.

I have to wait one or two months and could be dead by then. I find this appalling and quite unacceptable!

When, if ever, will this situation alter? With the plethora of litigation and the very high cost of insurance cover, can explanation of how drugs affect people not be addressed? It will not only save lives, but also cause fewer problems and forestall possible future litigation. It would appear that neither the Harry Benjamin nor the Australian Standards of Care are being observed. Is it too much to ask that this situation be corrected and full explanations given to all transsexuals in accordance with the afore-mentioned standards.

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