26 Mar Trans Women May Require Higher Doses of Estrogens

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Safer

Joshua Safer, MD, Executive Director
Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System
Senior Faculty, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: The standard trans feminizing hormone regimen includes estrogen both to suppress testosterone and so that the individual has sufficient circulating sex hormone in the body for good bone health. After orchiectomy, there is no need to suppress testosterone because the levels are very low and it is common to cut the estrogen dose in half.  Cis women with premature ovarian failure often take about 2 mg of estradiol daily so that dose has seemed reasonable for trans women without testes.  However, when my co-author Sira Korpaisarn and I checked estradiol levels and gonadotropins (pituitary hormones, LH and FSH) as a guide to dosing, we found that based on that testing, trans women may require higher doses of estrogens than the 2 mg that we expected.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Trans women may require higher doses of estrogens than previously suspected.  Indeed cis women might benefit from more estrogen also.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: While the observation is provocative, it is hardly conclusive.  Future studies will need to ascertain both risk and actual benefit from the higher doses.

No disclosures

ENDO 2019 abstract:

Feminizing Regimen Requirements in Transgender Females Following Orchiectomy

The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.

Last Updated on March 26, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD