Side Effects Of Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy not only works to change the body according to gender but also increases the risk of many health problems.

Hormone therapy is a gender-affirming medical treatment that helps transgender people's bodies adapt to their actual gender. Long-term sex hormone therapy in transgender individuals can cause significant changes in body composition and put transgender men at risk of heart disease, a study has found.

Research published in the Journal of Internal Medicine showed that long-term use of hormone therapy leads to major changes in fat quantity, muscle mass and strength over time. It is also dangerous for a person from woman to man at times.

Purpose of the Study

The study, conducted by Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, involved 17 transgender men and 16 transgender women. These individuals were given hormonal drugs like testosterone and estrogen. The researchers examined body composition, blood tests, blood pressure, and vascular stiffness using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Effect of hormone therapy

Researchers found that muscle volume in transgender men receiving testosterone treatment increased by an average of 21 percent over six years. Along with this, his belly fat increased by 70 percent. In addition, excess fat also accumulated in his liver, and the level of 'bad' LDL cholesterol increased, which can increase the risk of heart disease. This research makes it clear that the long-term effects of hormone therapy can cause heart disease and other health problems in transgender men.

Impact in transgender women

Transgender women taking estrogen therapy did not see as many major changes in their bodies. The research found that after five years of estrogen treatment, these women's muscle volume decreased by an average of 7 percent, while there was no change in muscle strength. However, the total fat amount of these women increased, but the belly fat decreased.

Expert Opinion

"It is extremely important to continue monitoring the long-term health effects of hormone therapy in transgender individuals to prevent heart disease and other health problems," said Tommy Lundberg, lead researcher of the study.