Not sure when things changed with the aspect of starting HRT but far as i know before one can start they are supposed to be aware of all health risks involved.
I have been on HRT for a long, long time and have yet had any health issues other then the side effects of the meds. HRT drugs mtf and ftm are taken for the side effects we are looking to get ie: libido suppression or incresed, breast developmennt, body fat redistribution or muscle mass incresed, softer skin etc. I have added a list of just the Estrogen, you can do a search for your other drugs. As you will see there are a whole host of possible things that could happen. As i have said to so many others its all about less is more. Always take the least amount of any drug you need. I know so many want things to happen overnight but they do not. It takes time for second Puberty to set in. Also many keep looking at there E and T numbers but that always is not the best was to go about HRT. Let your body tell you how things are progressing. Sometimes being more worried about a number will put things out of balance and will stall or even stop process. To end this up just listen to your body, relax and look towards tomorrow over today. Remember if you get any of the bad side effects you will have to stop HRT and none of us ever want that.
Izzy
Estrogen
Possible Side Effects:
The most common side effects include enlargement or tenderness of the breasts (both sexes), swelling of the ankles and legs, loss of appetite, weight changes, retention of water, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and feeling of bloatedness. The estrogen patch can cause skin rash, irritation, and redness at the patch site.
Less common side effects are bleeding gums, breakthrough vaginal bleeding, vaginal spotting, changes in menstrual flow, painful menstruation. pre-menstrual syndrome, no menstrual period during and after estrogen use, enlargement of uterine fibroids, vaginal infection with Candida, a cystitis-like syndrome, mild diarrhea, jaundice or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, rash, loss of scalp hair, and development of new hairy areas. Lesions of the eye and contact-lens intolerance have also been associated with estrogen therapy. You may experience migraine headache, mild dizziness, depression, and increased sex drive (women) or decreased sex drive (men).
Rare side effects include stroke, blood-clot formation, dribbling or sudden passage of urine, loss of coordination, chest pains, leg pains, difficulty breathing, slurred speech, and vision changes. Men who receive large estrogen doses as part of the treatment for prostate cancer are at a greater risk for heart attack, phlebitis, and blood clots in the lungs.
