Today at Mother's Day dinner, I was sitting next to my step dad, and I was presenting more or less male.

Anyways, I asked him if he was addicted to Monster energy drink now.  I was concerned because he smokes too, and he's not the youngest man anymore, and having his body constantly on overdrive couldn't be very good (I didn't mention that bit)

I asked him if he was at least only drinking 2 a day, and he said yeah, two in the morning. 

Whatever, what he said next bothered me a lot.  He's always been a defensive person, and never likes to admit he's wrong (he's a conservative republican *cough*)

He told me "Yeah? Well you're putting estrogen in your body.  You know that destroys your body.  You're gonna die early." 

I responded "I'm aware of the risks..."

He said again "You will die early because you're taking estrogen."

It just put me off for the rest of dinner.  Being the paranoid person I am, I kept thinking about the very real risks I'm taking doing this.

I'm wondering, what really is the increased risk of cancer, and how MUCH liver damage is this really doing?  Or I mean, how damaging would you say HRT is compared to a smoker's habit, or an alcoholic's addiction?

Unlike Monster drinks and cigarettes, HRT is monitored by a doctor.  And Estrogen is not as addictive as the previous two, although one could argue that. 

Quote from: Hideyoshi on May 12, 2013, 08:56:04 PM
He told me "Yeah? Well you're putting estrogen in your body.  You know that destroys your body.  You're gonna die early." 

I'm wondering, what really is the increased risk of cancer, and how MUCH liver damage is this really doing?  Or I mean, how damaging would you say HRT is compared to a smoker's habit, or an alcoholic's addiction?

There is very little to no evidence that 17-b estradiol causes liver disease unless you have Hepatitis B or Heptocellular Carcinomo. You would know if you had those two problems. Hep C, not so much. Ethinyl Estradiol is more dangerous and where alot of the fear come from since it used to be widely prescribed and is not metabolized easily. But prob not 17-b. Breast cancer is a risk. But you are also lowering you risk of prostate cancer so it balances out. But compared to smoking? Smoking kills. Point blank. There is no debate. Alcohol consumed excessively is no better.

Quote from: girl you look fierce on May 12, 2013, 09:53:34 PM
IMO, who cares? If I get cancer then at least I'll die fabulous, though the cancer risk is based on your E level and is the same for cis women...

Other stuff is w/e.

I don't wanna look like a guy, even if I die young....

Oh and ^this. Funny but so true.

Quote from: girl you look fierce on May 12, 2013, 09:53:34 PM
IMO, who cares? If I get cancer then at least I'll die fabulous, though the cancer risk is based on your E level and is the same for cis women...

Other stuff is w/e.

I don't wanna look like a guy, even if I die young....

This is pretty much my point of view as well.

<3 Liv

Sorry he said that.  I don't think he really meant it.  If anything it sounded like he was annoyed that you brought up his vices, so he wanted to get back at you.  Judging the possible health risks from hrt was his cheap shot to get a rise out of you.  Unfortunately, it seems that it did.  Really, let it roll off of you.

As for my knowledge on hrt, it can certainly increase your risk for breast cancer.  But, that's to be expected for obvious reasons.  Hrt can increase your risks of blood clots and could have a negative impact on your liver, but the doctor who is monitoring you should be on the look out for these things.  Honestly, there is a risk factor in this, but if you are under a doctors care, I would relax.  There is no medical treatment that does not have it's side effects to consider.  As long as your under a doctors care and they clear you, I wouldn't let it get to you.  Just follow the doctors orders. 

I like this quote for Wallace's pre-battle speech in Braveheart. Fantastic film, horribly inaccurate but fantastic nonetheless. I always play it in my head when i'm about to do something risky with reward.

"Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live -- at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!!!"

I shouldn't have to explain the correlation and significance of that to our plight.

Thanks everybody for your comments

Quote from: Ms. OBrien CVT on May 12, 2013, 09:30:10 PM
Unlike Monster drinks and cigarettes, HRT is monitored by a doctor.

I didn't think of that. Thanks 

Oh and remember Hon,

Woman tend to have a longer life span than men, so I think he may be a bit biased, and uninformed.

Quote from: Hideyoshi on May 12, 2013, 08:56:04 PM
Today at Mother's Day dinner, I was sitting next to my step dad, and I was presenting more or less male.

Anyways, I asked him if he was addicted to Monster energy drink now.  I was concerned because he smokes too, and he's not the youngest man anymore, and having his body constantly on overdrive couldn't be very good (I didn't mention that bit)

I asked him if he was at least only drinking 2 a day, and he said yeah, two in the morning. 

Whatever, what he said next bothered me a lot.  He's always been a defensive person, and never likes to admit he's wrong (he's a conservative republican *cough*)

He told me "Yeah? Well you're putting estrogen in your body.  You know that destroys your body.  You're gonna die early."

I responded "I'm aware of the risks..."

He said again "You will die early because you're taking estrogen."

It just put me off for the rest of dinner.  Being the paranoid person I am, I kept thinking about the very real risks I'm taking doing this.

I'm wondering, what really is the increased risk of cancer, and how MUCH liver damage is this really doing?  Or I mean, how damaging would you say HRT is compared to a smoker's habit, or an alcoholic's addiction?

Let me put it bluntly, your stepfather is full of ... misinformation.  (And it has nothing to do with political affiliation)

There is no clinical evidence to suggest that cross-sex hormone treatments have any incidence of increased mortality.  Indeed, in short term to medium term studies, no correlation could be made.

Keep in mind, this excludes rates of suicide and abuse which we suffer in greater numbers.  Let me put it another way, if estrogen in the human body was so damaging, then why do natal women have a greater life expectancy that natal men?  After all, their bodies are surging with wildly fluctuating levels of female hormones for several decades (menarche to menopause).

Here is the study:

Long-Term Treatment of Transsexuals with Cross-Sex Hormones: Extensive Personal Experience

Tell him to put that in his pipe and smoke it.

Quote from: MaidofOrleans on May 12, 2013, 11:26:11 PM
"... they'll never take our freedom!!!"

I shouldn't have to explain the correlation and significance of that to our plight.

Not sure about this Braveheart business, but how about this quote from Casino concerning Artie Piscano:
This guy could f--- up a cup of coffee.

Quote from: Hideyoshi on May 12, 2013, 08:56:04 PM
...my step dad

I.e., that goombah deserves about -100% of your worry and attention.  Give him a pat on the back and ask him about the Baltimore Orioles or something like that, to change the subject... which YOU so cleverly started.   
[Gen4 slaps forehead.]