slave_jim (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2002 8:05 pm
"Estrogens induce the release of proteins from the liver that cause high blood pressure. Renin and angiotensin act at the level of the kidney to then cause the body to retain salt and water. Estrogen increases the production of angiotensin by the liver. The extra salt and water can cause edema and high blood pressure."
This is what my concern is. Reading about estrogen patches, they don't have the ingestion "risks" of taking orally, but there are some other severe side effects of patches.
Again, I ask if anyone knows if estrogen hormone therapy leads to permanent sterility or permanent loss of erections. If estrogen indeed lowers BP (because it limits, decreases, or eliminates testosterone) it could be a potential wonder drug for those of us interested in methods, less drastic than castration -- and not permanent, who also have high BP.
Oral estrogen alone, in high enough doses, will lower testosterone levels to castration levels and may increase BP, but you can also expect the effects of feminization. Estradiol is the most potent of all the estrogens and can be easily tested in the blood. Transdermal estrogen patches are usually given to to those over 40, who have liver problems, high BP, or are at risk for blood clots. The patches are less harmful on the liver and reduce the risk of blood clots. But, as in MTF HRT, "2" 1.0mg patches must be worn simultaneously. A total of 4 patches per week must be worn, changed bi-weekly, and that can be more expensive than oral estrogen. You may have a skin reaction to the patch. The patch may start to itch or may fall off in the shower or in hot weather if you sweat a lot.
Spironolactone, a "diuretic", rids the body of excess salt and water, thus reducing the negative effects of oral estrogens on the liver when taken by itself. Spironolactone is also an anti-androgen and usually given as a mild anti-hypertensive treatment for high BP, but is also given in addition with estrogen in MTF hormone replacement therapy to lower testosterone levels and reduce the need for higher doses of estrogen.
As I have stated in others posts on this board, I had been self medicating myself for over a year with oral estrogen, transdermal estrogen patches, and spironolactone. During that time, I had reached the levels needed for castration and feminization. Although no blood test were taken during that time, all of the symptoms were evident,[eg. atrophy of the testicles, loss of erections, breast enlargement, reduction of body hair, softer skin etc.].
At the end of last year in December, I entered into a gender treatment program. I agreed with my doctors that I would follow there advice and would not use any medications unless they prescibed them. About four months passed, until May of this year, with no hormone use at all. During this time, everything seemed to return to my pre hormone use levels. The aggresion returned, the erections were back, testicles enlarged to normal, hair growth returned. In May blood tests were taken and I was started on low levels of estrogen. The blood test that was taken in May, showed that I had a testosterone level of 413, well within the range of normal male hormones. The test verified what I felt, that I had returned to a normal male hormone range.
As far as permanent reduction in sterility and erections goes, I have not had a sperm count taken and erections had returned to normal. From other posts that I have read, the loss of spontaneous and nocturnal erections if done over a long period of time, will lead to a permanently reduced size of the penis.
For 3 months now, I have been on an estrogen only dose[4mg daily] and have noticed a reduction in testicle size and less frequent erections. Last week my doctor increased my dose to 8mg estrogen and added 100mg spironolactone. I hope to see and feel more of the effects in the next couple of weeks and will keep you up to date if you like.
Chris
