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Prescription Hormones: Estrogen |
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Does Estrogen have side effects?It is advisable that you have your blood pressure checked every six months if you intend to take hormones on a long-term basis. During the early stages of estrogen treatment it is quite common to experience mild nausea, diarrhoea and itching. These symptoms should subside quite quickly - if they do not it may indicate that you have an existing liver disorder, and should stop taking estrogen immediately and consult your medical practitioner. If you are planning to go into hospital for major surgery (or gender reassignment) you should stop taking hormones two weeks beforehand. After surgery just one 2mg dosage daily will suffice. It is strongly recommended that whichever form of estrogen you choose, you take Spironolactone in addition. Spironolactone was originally developed as a diuretic, but it is used in gender treatment as it causes swelling of the breasts and reduces male pattern body hair. We also recommend that you take Finasteride which is an anti-androgen. This lowers your level of male hormones allowing the estrogen to work more effectively, and also has a noticeable side effect - it stimulates the growth of hair on your head! Estrogen hormones are safe to self administrate providing you are generally healthy. Do not take these hormones if you suffer from thrombosis, cancer, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or hypertension. If in any doubt, please consult a medical practitioner before commencing treatment. |
