Hormone Therapy:
While it may seem like a simple solution to a complex issue, the reality is that hormone therapy can lead to serious future health problems. Hormones play a vital role in our body's functions. They regulate everything from our metabolism to our mood and can have a significant impact on our overall health. Hormone therapy involves the use of synthetic hormones, which are designed to mimic the natural hormones in our body, and synthetic hormones can have unintended consequences. One of the biggest concerns with hormone therapy is the risk of cancer. Studies have shown that hormone therapy, particularly in the form of estrogen, can increase the risk of breast cancer. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute: Influence of Time From Menopause and Mammography on Hormone Therapy–Related Breast Cancer Risk Assessment | JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute | Oxford Academic (oup.com) found that women who took estrogen and progestin were at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not.
Another concern with hormone therapy is the impact it can have on cardiovascular health. Hormones like estrogen and testosterone can affect the way our blood vessel's function, which can increase the risk of heart disease. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association: American Heart Association issues statement on cardiovascular side effects from hormonal therapy for prostate cancer - Harvard Health found that hormone therapy increased the risk of heart attack and stroke. There is also the concern that hormone therapy could have long-term effects on the body. For example, some studies have suggested that hormone therapy could lead to a higher risk of dementia in women. There are also concerns that it could lead to bone loss, which can increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
The reality is that hormone therapy can have unintended consequences that could impact our health in the long-term. Instead of giving hormones to individuals with gender dysphoria, and hoping that it will help, we should find the best solution to this problem, that has the least number of consequences.
