Post-op - What Happens If You Stop HRT?

[Julie Marie]

Let's say you're post-op: gonads are gone, no natural hormone production from them.  My doc says the pituitary (I think that's the gland he said) still generates some hormone production, but not much. 

Now you stop taking hormones.  How does the body react?  Osteoporosis?  Rapid aging?  Other health problems?

For T-women, is it the same response as having a hysterectomy?  Has anyone here gone that route?  If so, what has been your experience?

[girl_ashley]

You will most certainly be at risk for osteoporosis and brittle bones.  Also very likely you will lose nearly all motivation for sex and sexual activities.  You will also likely lose the energy to do the physical activities you once enjoyed doing.

Our bodies are meant to live with a dominant hormone and by not replacing what you lose by getting rid of your gonads will most certainly put you at risk to a myriad of problems, particularly long term.

[rejennyrated]

It's not a good plan at all!

Osteoporosis is pretty likely, accelerated aging and loss of body tone is certain. Mental deterioration is also possible as steroids do have some role in regulating some of our mental processes.

The general consensus these days is that it is a very very VERY silly thing to do. Back along when they knew less about it many postops did stop.

Fortunately I never did but I do know a lot who have done so and almost all of them have lived to bitterly regret it.

[pebbles]

You will experience a severe and abrupt menopause.
Estrogen helps maintain collagen so excessive "wrinkling" isn't out of the question. There is also the risk of osteopriosis. 3% bone mass per year in a few years you will experience osteopriosis.

I myself have done some stupid things with my estrogen supply (lowering my dose mostly attempting to drag out my supply) I don't know what it would be like for you but I got some unplesant side effects reported with menopause... Depression, unable to concentrate, memory loss , Lethargy, Low/no self confidence, bad sleep... nice.

[Ann Onymous]

Effects, at least post-op, will vary based upon the individual. 

I had a period of time in the early 2000's where I went a few years basically not taking anything but continuing with a rigorous athletic regimen.  When I went back to start on ethinyl estradiol again, my numbers were actually better across the board than they had been when I had last been tested before stopping.  At the time I had stopped, I was roughly five years post-op.   

During that period of time, I did have a fracture in my hand that came from the athletic endeavors, but it was something that likely would have occurred no matter whether I was on meds or not.

I did not really notice any changes to skin texture but then again, even pre-HRT, I had an electrologist who told me my skin and its reaction to the treatments was very much akin to her natal clients.

Now then, that being said, would I recommend someone go off HRT post?  generally speaking, no, at least not without consulting one's treating physician.   

[Julie Marie]

I'm experiencing blatant discrimination by my union regarding medical coverage.  They won't even pay for blood tests they require, even though every other local member and their families are covered.  All they do is give me the run around, never saying they won't cover me, only saying they need to know more.  Now that they have everything they have asked for and still won't pay for what they demand from me...

So I got to wondering about this subject.  What if I stopped HRT?  I once read an article by a woman who had been through menopause, didn't go the route of HRT and was happy as a clam.  She joked, "I look back and wonder why I cried about all that stupid stuff!"  She was totally pro not doing hormone replacement therapy.

Since GRS, my sex drive is zero.  So HRT is doing nothing for me in that area.  My bones have been almost indestructible over the years and I've put them through a lot, including a head-on by a car while on a motorcycle, without even a fracture.  But that's no reason to think I'm invincible or immune from bone deterioration.  But I do wonder how that fact would play into osteoporosis. 

Other areas like emotions, feeling more feminine?  I just don't feel it.  I still am into a lot of the same guy kind of stuff as before and feel pretty much the same as I did before, just with the monkey off my back.  So HRT seems to have little effect in that area.

All this got me to wondering what HRT is really doing for me.  I have no intention of stopping.  My doctor would wring my neck.  He's so picky he tells me I need to take my meds at the same time every day.  I trust him completely so I'm not about to go rouge on him. 

Still, I wonder just what HRT does for me and how much it's really benefiting me.

[rejennyrated]

Well for the record once you know you have stable and correct levels the regular blood tests really AREN'T needed.

You could certainly get away with just once in 5 years or so.

I went for over 25 years without - although as it happened my blood estrogen levels were astronomically too high for all that time - but I am still here! (and it wouldn't have happened if I had just had one blood test post surgery)

[Julie Marie]

My doc says blood test every six months or "no E for you!"  Actually, he'll let it go for a while but he pushes for the blood test.

I'd much rather go after my union for discrimination but our Illinois Department of Human Rights, the government arm that is supposed to protect its citizens from discrimination, is so biased towards companies and organizations that the people IDHR are supposed to protect don't have a chance.