Estrogen / Fertilitiy / Birth Defects / Sperm Bank

[placeholdername]

Hi folks, some questions related to estrogen / fertility / etc.  I was at my bi-weekly trans group and one of the people mentioned that when you go on estrogen, if you (somehow) manage to conceive with someone, the chances of birth defects go "way up" -- Is there any truth to that?

I mean, right now my plan is to wait til I get on Spiro (probably within a month), make sure that doesn't have complications, and then go off spiro and 'make a deposit' at a sperm bank so I can have genetic kids at some point in the future.  But I've been on E for almost 4 months now so that comment about birth defects made me nervous, but I'd never heard it before so I wanted to check with people here, see if it's true or not...

[carolinejeo]

It is generally assumed that the longer one is on HRT the lower the fertility rate. However, it is not unknown for fertile sperm to be present after several years of hormones. I know of at least one surprise pregnancy in a TS's partner resulting from an assumed infertility after several years on HRT.

As far as abnormality goes then if the sperm count is lowered, as it will be with prolonged HRT, then the chances of an abnormal sperm fertilizing is of course statistically increased.

Caroline

[pebbles]

Yes E impairs the Testis synthesis of sperms it dose this by interfering with spermatogoan division and progression through meosis. As it dose this they don't divide or renew themselves there is a risk of the divisions going wrong and genetic defects begin passed onto the spermatozoa.

Of course your body will tend to eliminate majorly defective cells through Apoptosis and attempt replace them with non-ruined cells. This is why your generally irreversibly sterile after 6 months as there aren't enough healthy sperm producing cells to restore function.

So yeah you should be okay if you stop HRT for a month or so some fertility would return but Your fertility might be significantly reduced but your fertility also ought to be viable. of course everyone varies.

[carolinejeo]

There is another issue here. You are assuming that your future partner will be a genetic woman. Given that it is possible that after a prolonged period of HRT and when post op your sexuality will have changed and you may find that your partner is male. Then the deposited sperm will be of no use.

Personally, I am not sure about sperm banking. It strikes me as a bit vain.

Caroline

[AmySmiles]

I thought seriously about stopping spiro to do sperm banking last month too.  I decided it isn't worth it due in part to the reasons Caroline mentioned.  There was also the factor of sperm banks nearby not responding to me, and I believe I also read the costs of IVF are ridiculous (on the order of 20 grand).

For all the trouble, I think I'd rather adopt if/when the time comes.

[placeholdername]

There is another issue here. You are assuming that your future partner will be a genetic woman. Given that it is possible that after a prolonged period of HRT and when post op your sexuality will have changed and you may find that your partner is male. Then the deposited sperm will be of no use.

Personally, I am not sure about sperm banking. It strikes me as a bit vain.

Caroline

Actually I'm not assuming my future partner will be a woman -- I may end up with a man who is infertile for some reason, etc.  Although I'm open to the idea of adoption, or maybe even my future partner will already have kids, I just want to keep my options open.

[marcy319]

Here's a side question however, out of curiosity:

I understand that HRT generally causes permanent infertility due to atrophy or loss of spermatogenic cells after about the 6 month mark, even if HRT is discontinued.

What however is the outlook of the ability to produce testosterone and other androgens should HRT be discontinued? Wikipedia says these cells are called "Leydig cells." Are these cells killed off and this function permanently lost sooner-or-later as well?

Thanks!

[caitlin_adams]

There is another issue here. You are assuming that your future partner will be a genetic woman. Given that it is possible that after a prolonged period of HRT and when post op your sexuality will have changed and you may find that your partner is male. Then the deposited sperm will be of no use.

Personally, I am not sure about sperm banking. It strikes me as a bit vain.

Caroline

Not at all. I'm in a similar position (in that I am considering banking sperm) and even if I am single I will consider surrogacy as an option.