Louis J Gooren1, Katrien Wierckx2, Erik J Giltay2. 1. EmeritusVU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, NL-1007 MB Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyUZ Gent, Gent, BelgiumDepartment of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands louisjgooren@gmail.com. 2. EmeritusVU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, NL-1007 MB Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyUZ Gent, Gent, BelgiumDepartment of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The incidence of heart disease increases with age, but is lower in women than in men up to 75 years. A protective effect of female sex hormones or, alternatively, acceleration in male heart disease by testosterone at younger ages, could explain this sex difference. In contrast with the above, male-to-female transsexual subjects (MtoF) treated with estrogens (+anti-androgens) show more cardiovascular pathology than female-to-male transsexual subjects (FtoM) receiving testosterone. Why MtoF suffer more frequently from cardiovascular disease than females is as yet unclear. The mode of cross-sex hormone treatment may be a factor, and, if so, it may need adaptations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Studies in transsexual people on the effects of cross-sex hormone treatment on surrogate cardiovascular risks and on clinical endpoints were reviewed. With regard to MtoF, a parallel was sought with men with prostate cancer, undergoing androgen deprivation and estrogen administration. RESULTS: Exposure of FtoM to testosterone was not associated with a strong increase in cardiovascular events. Aging and pre-existing cardiovascular pathology contributed to the risk of cardiovascular disease in MtoF. Use of the synthetic biopotent compound ethinyl estradiol in a dose two to four times of oral contraceptives increased cardiovascular risk substantially. The route of administration of estrogens (oral vs transdermal) may have impacted on the risks. CONCLUSION: MtoF should not be treated with oral ethinyl estradiol. Transdermal estrogens are probably safer than oral estrogens. Pre-existing cardiovascular risks should be taken into consideration when prescribing and choosing the type of estrogens in cross-sex hormone administration (oral vs transdermal). In addition, risk factors, as they emerge with aging, should be addressed.
OBJECTIVE: The incidence of heart disease increases with age, but is lower in women than in men up to 75 years. A protective effect of female sex hormones or, alternatively, acceleration in male heart disease by testosterone at younger ages, could explain this sex difference. In contrast with the above, male-to-female transsexual subjects (MtoF) treated with estrogens (+anti-androgens) show more cardiovascular pathology than female-to-male transsexual subjects (FtoM) receiving testosterone. Why MtoF suffer more frequently from cardiovascular disease than females is as yet unclear. The mode of cross-sex hormone treatment may be a factor, and, if so, it may need adaptations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Studies in transsexual people on the effects of cross-sex hormone treatment on surrogate cardiovascular risks and on clinical endpoints were reviewed. With regard to MtoF, a parallel was sought with men with prostate cancer, undergoing androgen deprivation and estrogen administration. RESULTS: Exposure of FtoM to testosterone was not associated with a strong increase in cardiovascular events. Aging and pre-existing cardiovascular pathology contributed to the risk of cardiovascular disease in MtoF. Use of the synthetic biopotent compound ethinyl estradiol in a dose two to four times of oral contraceptives increased cardiovascular risk substantially. The route of administration of estrogens (oral vs transdermal) may have impacted on the risks. CONCLUSION: MtoF should not be treated with oral ethinyl estradiol. Transdermal estrogens are probably safer than oral estrogens. Pre-existing cardiovascular risks should be taken into consideration when prescribing and choosing the type of estrogens in cross-sex hormone administration (oral vs transdermal). In addition, risk factors, as they emerge with aging, should be addressed.
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