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Hello. My Name Is XXXXXXX And I’m A MtF Transgender
Question: Hello. My name is XXXXXXX and I’m a MtF transgender woman currently undergoing hormone replacement therapy. I’ve been on HRT for just over two years now and take Estradiol and Spironolactone regularly.. However I'm also a pack-a-day cigarette smoker. I was wondering if the tobacco/nicotine has any affect on the effectiveness of my estradiol treatment, which is taken orally twice daily. I'm already very aware of the risks of cigarette smoking , especially with HRT (ie. blood clots, DVT, etc.) but I'm simply wondering if nicotine 'neutralizes' the effects of my medication in any way and if that has been hampering my progress at all.
Brief Answer:
Smoking and HRT;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
There are many studies that has approved that nicotine attenuates the effect of estrogen leading to early menopause women who smoke cigarettes.
In smoking women treated with HRT, higher doses of estrogen are recommended to achieve comparable clinical effects to that in non smokers women.
So, if you feel that the effects are not like those expected, you may discuss with your physician to increase the dose of estradiol, of course taking into consideration the side effects that you already know.
Hope the information will help.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta
Smoking and HRT;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
There are many studies that has approved that nicotine attenuates the effect of estrogen leading to early menopause women who smoke cigarettes.
In smoking women treated with HRT, higher doses of estrogen are recommended to achieve comparable clinical effects to that in non smokers women.
So, if you feel that the effects are not like those expected, you may discuss with your physician to increase the dose of estradiol, of course taking into consideration the side effects that you already know.
Hope the information will help.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you for your prompt response I only have one more question regarding the effects of my treatment. If I were to stop smoking then by all means I should see an improvement in my progress? In other words, without nicotine impeding the effects of estrogen my hormone replacement therapy shouldn’t be stagnant anymore?
Brief Answer:
About smoking and HRT:
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
If you stop smoking, we expect better effects of HRT. Smoking effect in estradiol level is reversible.
Anyway, we can not say we are sure that you haven't seen the desirable effects due to smoking, but after 3 months if you see any difference it means that smoking was the cause.
Wishing you all the best.
Dr.Mirjeta
About smoking and HRT:
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
If you stop smoking, we expect better effects of HRT. Smoking effect in estradiol level is reversible.
Anyway, we can not say we are sure that you haven't seen the desirable effects due to smoking, but after 3 months if you see any difference it means that smoking was the cause.
Wishing you all the best.
Dr.Mirjeta
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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