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Does Hormone Therapy Affect Fertility?
Question: I'm a guy who is having 2nd thoughts about being a trangendered female. I took hrt about 5 years ago. And started again for 3 month this year. I stopped. If I wanted to have kids down the road. should be ok to still have some?
Brief Answer:
Fertility
Detailed Answer:
Typically the hormones taken by a male to female transgender work primarily by suppressing the male hormone production in the body. Other medications are sometimes used to block the effects of the male hormone at the cell receptor(such as spironolactone). The latter is not a hormone and will not hamper fertility later because it does not interfere significantly with the pituitary nor the the testicular hormone function.
However, the other preparations like estrogen and progesterone are intended to minimize the pituitary hormone ('gonadotrophin') signals to the testicles where testosterone is produced. In the long term, this may well cause shrinkage of the testicles and loss of it's function which includes sperm production.
May I know which medications you have tried so far in order to answer your question more specifically
Fertility
Detailed Answer:
Typically the hormones taken by a male to female transgender work primarily by suppressing the male hormone production in the body. Other medications are sometimes used to block the effects of the male hormone at the cell receptor(such as spironolactone). The latter is not a hormone and will not hamper fertility later because it does not interfere significantly with the pituitary nor the the testicular hormone function.
However, the other preparations like estrogen and progesterone are intended to minimize the pituitary hormone ('gonadotrophin') signals to the testicles where testosterone is produced. In the long term, this may well cause shrinkage of the testicles and loss of it's function which includes sperm production.
May I know which medications you have tried so far in order to answer your question more specifically
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Before it was just premiem. This past year it was estrace
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I see.
Female hormone therapy intentionally suppresses male hormone production and lowers blood levels. In the long term, this can well be associated with 'testicular atrophy', a medical term used to describe shrunken and small minimally or nono functional testicles.
You may wish to consult a psychiatrist before you make this transition with the help of an endocrinologist. Reproductive endocrinologists may bring up topics like sperm cryo-preservation if you wish to father biological children later
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I see.
Female hormone therapy intentionally suppresses male hormone production and lowers blood levels. In the long term, this can well be associated with 'testicular atrophy', a medical term used to describe shrunken and small minimally or nono functional testicles.
You may wish to consult a psychiatrist before you make this transition with the help of an endocrinologist. Reproductive endocrinologists may bring up topics like sperm cryo-preservation if you wish to father biological children later
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Now what are the chance if i stoped that i can still father a child. I have not been on for long. Like 1 bottle 5 years ago and basicly for 3 month most recieantly.
Brief Answer:
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
There are 2 tests needed to answer this question.
An early morning blood test for
Total testosterone
FSH
LH
Albumin
SHBG
Prolactin
Ferritin
And
A semen analysis
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
There are 2 tests needed to answer this question.
An early morning blood test for
Total testosterone
FSH
LH
Albumin
SHBG
Prolactin
Ferritin
And
A semen analysis
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Useully though long term use is consider more then 2 bottles or so though right? I shd be ok?
Brief Answer:
Third follow up
Detailed Answer:
There is no absolute definition for long term use.
Testing is the only way to be certain. Further there might be recovery in some instances over time. These are delicate and complex endocrine matters that are best dealt with by a qualified endocrinologist in person with periodic follow up
Third follow up
Detailed Answer:
There is no absolute definition for long term use.
Testing is the only way to be certain. Further there might be recovery in some instances over time. These are delicate and complex endocrine matters that are best dealt with by a qualified endocrinologist in person with periodic follow up
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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