Hormone Therapy in Transgender Women Vulnerable to Stroke

Roseous.com - Hormone Therapy in Transgender Women Vulnerable to Stroke. Hormone therapy performed for gender transition is considered to be beneficial for the mental health of transgender people. However, like a medical procedure, hormone therapy also has risks. The results of a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine says, this therapy proved to cause significant risks of serious blood clots and stroke among transgender women.

Reported by the Medical Daily, researchers used the Kaiser Health System to test data on nearly 5,000 transgender patients (2,834 transgender women and 2,118 transgender men).

It was found that transgender women who perform hormone therapy (with estrogen) have a high risk of blood clots called venous thromboembolism. However, transgender men who do hormone therapy (with testosterone) do not have that high risk.

The risk of stroke among female transgender is also 9.9 times higher than that of men who are in the control group (the non-therapy group).

Hormone therapy and its relationship with stroke

Based on the presentation of dr. Fiona Amelia MPH, the risk of clotting and blood clotting can clog up a blood vessel that eventually causes an ischemic stroke. In general, women have lower rates of heart disease than men.

In contrast to transgender women, the chances of a stroke and heart attack will remain the same as before they transition. As for transgender men, researchers have not been able to ascertain the possible health risks because the number of reported incidents is still too small.

Professor Michael Goodman of Emory University, Atlanta, who was involved in the study stated that the transgenderers were included for four years of research. But only about 23 percent have undergone intimate transition surgery.

The variables used for comparison are race, ethnicity and year of birth. There is no variable on the formula, combination or dose of hormones used in this intimate-transition therapy. So it's possible that some treatment regimens have a lower risk than other treatment processes.

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Goodman then suggested that this study was conducted to answer some questions about hormone therapy and related matters. He claimed not to intimidate anyone.

The study will not prevent anyone from doing hormonal therapy if it is needed. To minimize risk, doctors often discuss the various risks associated with such therapy with the patient.

Hormone therapy for transgender in Indonesia

Based on the explanation dr. Suci Dwi Putri, until now there has been no official permission issued to handle hormone therapy for transgender in Indonesia. However, there are exceptions if the patient has certain health disorders or disorders.

"For those of you who want to do hormone therapy, it's good to think carefully about it. Given the permit is also not yet official, then the risk of failure can happen, "he said.

For many transgender patients, hormone therapy is very important for their mental health because their gender identity is aligned with the intimatees. However, recent research has shown that gender transition therapy is associated with an increased risk of stroke in transgender women. Before making this big decision, it would require a discussion with a wise medical expert, trained and have a qualified understanding.