According to a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, transgender-identifying biological men are 95% more likely to develop heart disease when undergoing female hormone therapy designed to increase the levels of estrogen in the body.
The study, conducted in Denmark, observed medical data from over 2,500 trans-identifying individuals in their 20s and compared it with a control group of so-called “cis-gender” men. The results found that the risk of heart disease was much higher among transgenders who have undergone hormone therapy.
The trans women in the study saw a 93% increased risk of heart issues, a 73% higher risk than biological women. The trans men who were on testosterone saw over two times increased risk of heart issues compared with biological men. These issues were primarily high blood pressure and abnormal blood fats.
Dr. Dorte Glintborg, the lead author of the study, explained that increased levels of estrogen are associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
“For trans women, hormone treatments such as estrogen will increase fat mass and lower lean body mass, and increased estrogen is usually associated with increased risk of autoimmune disease and inflammation,” Dr. Glintborg explained.
“Several other factors apart from body fat/leanness and muscle mass could affect [the] risk of vascular and metabolic diseases in transgender populations and we still need more long-term data,” Dr. Glintborg added.
While further studies will be needed to closely analyze the correlation between hormone therapy and heart issues, one thing can be clear: it should not be a surprise that injecting an unnatural amount of hormones into an individual may result in severe medical risks.
