Has anyone stopped Estrogen?

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I've been on Estrogen for 12 years now. I might stop taking it for personal reasons. I know that Osteoporosis is one of the risks, but are there others? After this long, I will not lose my breasts. I doubt that my disposition will change much, though I plan to continue living as a woman.

Gwen

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Side effects of quiting

These depend entirely on how much you are taking; pre or post testes removal and what type(s) of estrogen too.

mood swings, hot flushes, less blood clots, reduction of risk for cancer, hair falling out, loss of body fat, hallucinations and other menopause symptoms.

If you are concerned... ask your doctor to taper you off over 2 or 3 months.

Dayna.

Vivelle Dot .1

I use a patch that goes right into the bloodstream. The Doctor said that my dose is about 1/10th of that of a 2 mg Estradiol pill. It is doubtful that there would be any withdrawal.

Stopping Oestrogen...

Robyn B's picture

When, in my middle forties, I saw my endocrinologist as part of my gender clinic care plan, he recommended me an oral oestrogen, (Microgynon) which I should take daily until I turned 55. He then said that I would go into menopause just like natal women and then lose the risks associated with long term use. This I did. That did happen and I am very happy with my results.

Robyn B
Sydney

I'm still taking

Angharad's picture

oestrogen and after my most recent discussion with my GP, will probably continue taking it for most of the remainder of my life. I've been on it since 1979 (c 36 years). I'm aware there are risks but the risks of masculinisation worry me more.

Angharad

Anyone heard of Peshmerga?

I do not know that this can happen, it seems unlikely. There will be no Vivelle in Northern Iraq.

Gwen

Peshmerga

You planning to join the female warriors in Iraq? If so, see if you can find someone you will be in constant contact with at home if you think you'll have problems without the hormones. Have them send your patches to you. You'll also have to tell your doctor what you're doing so he/she will continue to renew your Rx without you having to make trips home too often. If the current dose will be what you will be taking for the rest of your life, traveling for checkups shouldn't be and issue.

You DO realize that joining the Peshmerga means that "the rest of your life" could, potentially, be very short?

My best to you in whatever you do. Please be careful!

Hugs,
Erica

Potentially?

Sadarsa's picture

You mean extremely likely.... those are the guys going toe to toe with ISIS.
That place is a meat grinder.

~Your only Limitation is your Imagination~

I had to ...

I had to stop mid-way through my chemo, as I'd had a blood clot near my port. {I was able to resume about 7 months later! And my hormone regimen is not contra indicated for my MDS!}

Symptoms - initially, not many, but slowly over time, I got hot flashes! Let me tell you, all the jokes UNDER state what they're like... And I was Soooo glad when they went away when I went back on my hormones!

As to duration - My doc said MOST only experience hot flashes 2-3 years... But, some experience them the rest of their life. *shudders*.

As to osteo - that's a slow process. And, you can slow it down by taking safe doses of calcium (+D3) and doing weight bearing exercises (walking, light weights, etc.).

Other things I've been told you can experience - the same as any other older lady whose body no longer makes much in the way of hormones.

Best wishes,
Annette