Effects on the Male Endocrine System of Long-term Treatment with Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonists and Estrogens in Male-to-Female Transsexuals

Abstract

We studied hormonal changes resulting from long-term treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and 17β estradiol valerate in 40 healthy middle-aged male-to-female transsexuals over a period of two years. All of the participants received injections of 3.8 mg goserelin acetate every four weeks in combination with 6 mg oral 17β estradiol valerate per day for cross-sex hormone treatment for male-to-female transsexuals. There was a significant reduction in the levels of serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone to the hypogonadal stage. Mean testosterone levels decreased by 97 % to 0.52 and 0.59 nmol/l after 12 months and 24 months, respectively. There was a significant reduction in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate by 37 % after 12 months and 43 % after 24 months, and androstendione by 29 % after 12 months and 27 % after 24 months, respectively. Cortisol levels were reduced by 43 % and 50 %, respectively. Estrogen levels were significantly increased from 77.51 to 677 after 12 months and 661 pmol/l after 24 months. Sex hormone-binding globulin and corticoid-binding globulin levels were significantly increased after 12 and 24 months. There was a significant decrease in all measured androgen fractions and cortisol during long-term treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and 17β estradiol valerate. Apart from suppression of testicular hormone production, one possible interpretation is that treatment with long-term gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and 17β estradiol valerate influences adrenal hormone levels in healthy middle-aged male-to-female transsexuals. Cortisol serum levels may be decreased due to estrogen-induced increase in corticoid-binding globulin.

Key words

Transsexuals - GnRH analogues - estrogen - adrenal hormones - testis

References

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