Transmasculine People And Testosterone
When transmasculine people, those assigned female at birth who identify as men or as nonbinary, are given testosterone, they experience clear masculinizing changes. They grow facial hair, their voices deepen, and their faces may subtly reshape.
These testosterone-driven changes are generally irreversible. Once someone has facial hair, it needs to be removed by laser hair removal or electrolysis. Voice pitch can be deepened by testosterone but not raised by estrogen. The angles of the face can change slightly in trans men due to testosterone due to muscle changes and fat redistribution in the face which make it appear more angular.
What Symptoms Can Estrogen Blockers Help Treat
Men with low testosterone levels may experience a wide range of symptoms. Our role at Rejuvime Medical is to pinpoint the cause of these symptoms through blood tests and then carefully calibrate a therapeutic approach that restores the optimal hormonal balance to help men feel more youthful and improve their overall quality of life.
Symptoms that men with elevated levels of estrogen may experience include gynecomastiadevelopment of excess breast tissueand erectile dysfunction. Again, not all men undergoing hormone replacement therapy need estrogen blockers as part of their treatment. Each therapeutic plan is customized based on the individual patients blood tests and symptoms.
Its important to note these are legitimate, prescription estrogen blockers, not unregulated over-the-counter products. Estrogen modulators can play a vital role in restoring healthy estrogen levels when used as part of medically monitored hormone replacement therapy.
As a leader in hormone replacement therapy, Rejuvime Medical has developed a sophisticated, yet simple process to treat men who want to regain vigor, athletic performance, and focused thinking. That 3-step approach includes meeting with one of our nurses and having a quick blood draw for testing, discussing the results of those tests with a nurse practitioner, and then periodic appointments to monitor your progress.
What Are Estrogen Blockers
As you may know, estrogen is the main female sex hormone, along with progesterone. Estrogen is responsible for and included in maintaining multiple bodily functions.
Among the most important ones is the development and regulation of the female reproductive system as well as of the secondary sex characteristics. Although estrogen is mainly found in women, men also produce small, yet meaningful amounts of this hormone as well.
Antiestrogens, estrogen antagonists, and estrogen blockers are all referring to the same class of drugs or natural compounds. These drugs are used in order to prevent estrogens such as estradiol from leading up to their normal biological effects in the body.
In order to do that, the estrogen blockers block the estrogen receptor in addition to either inhibiting or suppressing the production of estrogens in the body.
There are two more sex hormone antagonist groups, including antiprogestogens and antiandrogens.
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What Do Estrogen Blockers Do
Also known as antiestrogens and estrogen antagonists, estrogen blockers are supplements that reduce estrogen. Some of the best estrogen blockers increase testosterone as well and may even have this as a primary aim.
Estrogen blockers block the estrogen receptor, inhibiting its ability to produce estrogen. This allows for an increased capacity to produce testosterone.
The truth is even without the interference from estrogen, many men suffer from low testosterone.
Testosterone production peaks during adolescence. After that, it diminishes, little by little, with each passing year. That’s why so many men take testosterone boosters.
Nevertheless, when high estrogen is the root cause of the problem, good estrogen-blocking supplements can make a huge difference to men’s lives.
Reference Sources
1. Gender in Endocrine Diseases: Role of Sex Gonadal Hormones:
2. Estrogenic Chemicals Often Leach From Bpa-Free Plastic Products That Are Replacements for Bpa-Containing Polycarbonate Products:
3. Aromatase Activity and Bone Loss in Men:
4. The Effects of Diet and Exercise on Endogenous Estrogens and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women:
Possible Side Effects Of Ais
The most common side effects of AIs are:
- Bone and joint pain
AIs tend to have side effects different from tamoxifen. They don’t cause uterine cancers and very rarely cause blood clots. They can, however, cause muscle pain and joint stiffness and/or pain. The joint pain may be similar to a feeling of having arthritis in many different joints at one time. Options for treating this side effect include, stopping the AI and then switching to a different AI, taking a medicine called duloxetine , or routine exercise with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . But the muscle and joint pain has led some women to stop treatment. If this happens, most doctors recommend using tamoxifen to complete 5 to 10 years of hormone treatment.
Because AIs drastically lower the estrogen level in women after menopause, they can also cause bone thinning, sometimes leading to osteoporosis and even fractures. If you are taking an AI, your bone density may be tested regularly and you may also be given bisphosphonates or denosumab , to strengthen your bones.
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Why Are Estrogen Blockers Being Used
Now, you may wonder why anyone would be interested in inhibiting and/or suppressing the production of such an important hormone, such as estrogen? Everything in our bodies is meant to have a certain balance.
Once that balance has been disturbed, for any reason whatsoever, you are bound to deal with some negative effects.
Higher than normal estrogen levels, in both men and women, is known as estrogen dominance. In women, this condition causes symptoms such as bloating, irregular menstrual periods, anxiety, weight gain, hair loss, low libido, etc.
In men, when there is too much estrogen in their bodies, their testosterone levels are affected. When this hormone balance has been disrupted, men struggle with symptoms such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and a condition that leads to enlarged breasts called gynecomastia.
Too much estrogen can also increase the risk of stroke and heart disease, potentially causing a life-threatening condition. At times such as these, using a proper estrogen blocker is of vital importance. Not only will it help eliminate the symptoms, but it will also restore the hormone balance once again.
The Best Ingredients In Estrogen Blockers
When it comes to estrogen blockers, were picky about our ingredients. We need to see a certain roster to know that estrogen blockers are made from ingredients that are going to be impactful, potent, and proven to work.
There are a lot of ingredients that could contribute to a great estrogen blocker, and there are definitely more than what we have time to list here.
Additionally, some may work better or worse for you than they do for others its all a matter of your bodys chemistry.
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Do Estrogen Blockers For Men Help Or Harm
Inthe early 90s, a book called Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus wasa huge sensation. And while there were some cute parts to it, it was a sort-ofscientific extension of bad standup comedy: hey, did you know that men andwomen are different?
Therestruth to that, but that kind of thinking does a few things. For one, it erasescomplexity of sex and gender. For another, it promotes dangerous thinking abouthealth. If women and men are so differentindeed, dimorphicthen hormones thatare more prevalent for women must be bad for men.
Of course, such logic is scientifically inaccurate, but that hasnt stopped people from thinking that estrogen is something men should avoid. This, in turn, has spurred the growth of over-the-counter estrogen blockers for men, which can cause harmful side effects and confuse the sometimes-genuine need for estrogen moderation.
What are Estrogen Blockers Used for in Men?
Estrogen modulators, sometimes called anti-estrogens or estrogen blockers, are a group of compounds that suppress the bodys estrogen production or block estrogen from binding to receptors. Multiple types of estrogen blockers exist, including selective estrogen receptor modulators such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole.
Physical Effects Of Estrogen Blockers
The most common use for estrogen blockers for men is to improve performance in the gym and bedroom. Estrogen blockers help boost overall energy levels in most men who take it in the morning before a workout. Testosterone can also improve mood and promote better sleep.
Lets look at how over-the-counter estrogen blockers can help you more in-depth.
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How Do Estrogen Blockers Work In The Body
Estrogen blockers main focus is not to block the ovaries or adrenal glands from producing estrogen, instead it is blocking the process of aromatization, i.e. aromatic inhibition. Aromatization is the process of testosterone converting into estrogen.
The structure of a testosterone molecule includes a nonaromatic ring. This nonaromatic ring can be converted to an aromatic ring during the process of aromatization and the process is sped up by the enzyme aromatase, which is a P450 enzyme.
When estrogen blockers are taken it stops the enzyme aromatase from working and transforming the androgen testosterone into estrogen.
Joint And Muscle Pain
Joint and muscle pain have been reported as quite the common side-effects of using pharmaceutical estrogen blockers. These side-effects usually affect areas such as the wrists, hands, feet, ankles, and knees. Studies show that around 46% of the women have experienced joint pain, while muscle pain seems to affect around 15% of the women who have been using estrogen blockers. It is important to know that, nor the joint or muscle pain does not cause any permanent damage.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Hormone Therapy
The side effects of hormone therapy depend largely on the specific drug or the type of treatment . The benefits and harms of taking hormone therapy should be carefully weighed for each person. A common switching strategy used for adjuvant therapy, in which patients take tamoxifen for 2 or 3 years, followed by an aromatase inhibitor for 2 or 3 years, may yield the best balance of benefits and harms of these two types of hormone therapy .
Hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness are common side effects of all hormone therapies. Hormone therapy also may disrupt the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women.
Less common but serious side effects of hormone therapy drugs are listed below.
Tamoxifen
- breathing problems, including painful breathing, shortness of breath, and cough
- loss of appetite
Effects Of Aromatase Inhibition On Bone Metabolism And Epiphysial Closure
Estrogens are essential for epiphysial maturation in boys. Aromatase inhibitors, therefore, may be used to lower estradiol levels and thereby slow down epiphysial maturation. This approach proved successful in rare conditions such as the aromatase-excess syndrome and high estrogen levels due to Sertoli cell tumors in boys with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome . In boys with familial male precocious puberty due to activating mutations of the LH receptor, also known as testotoxicosis, treatment with an antiandrogen in combination with an aromatase inhibitor to prevent effects on bone is the treatment of choice. In an earlier study a combination of spironolactone and testolactone proved effective , whereas in later studies the combination of bicalutamide and anastrozole was used .
Boys with constitutional delay of puberty are typically small for their age and final adult height is often in the low-normal range. These boys may be treated with androgens to induce puberty. Although testosterone induces growth velocity, the estrogens aromatized from testosterone will accelerate epiphysial maturation and for that reason reduce adult height further. The combination of testosterone and letrozole, therefore, was tested in boys with constitutional delay of puberty. This combination treatment effectively increased growth velocity but epiphysial maturation was slower in the letrozole-treated group, leading to a significant increase in predicted adult height .
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Natural Estrogen Blockers For Men
Some medications block the enzyme aromatase. They include letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane, and many others. However, women with breast cancer are the ones who typically use them.
By dropping their estrogen levels, they stop the effects of estrogen on cancer cells and slow down cancer growth. In men, they can also balance testosterone and estrogen levels. However, theres a natural way to do it through a natural estrogen blocker.
In this section, we will name and explain the most important estrogen blockers for men:
The Side Effects Of Estrogen Blockers
Estrogen blockers directly affect the hormones, so the side effects are very similar to the menopause symptoms when there is a natural reduction of estrogen. They are hot flashes, mood swings, night sweat, osteoporosis, vaginal discharge, and vaginal dryness. Fortunately, the most effective estrogen-blocking supplements appear quite safe.
Studies have stated that commercial DIM supplements didnt report any serious side effects even after six years of regular usage.
The grape seed extract usage in clinical research also observed that even after 14 weeks of its use, no major side effects have come up but you must not use any blood thinners like warfarin with it. Also if you are allergic to grapes, then, of course, its better to steer clear of it.
The safety profile of other estrogen blockers is less clear as they contain some ingredients which havent been studied so much. It is better to take the advice of your doctor before starting one.
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The Buying Guide: Our Advice On How To Buy The Best What Does An Estrogen Blocker Do
Before you invest your hard-earned money into a product, you should properly educate yourself about the available products and the best alternatives in the market. We have compiled the list of factors you should consider before buying a what does an estrogen blocker do to make your task easier.
Like almost any product, before buying a what does an estrogen blocker do, you should ask yourself these few questions:
These are just some of the questions that you need to seek the answer to when purchasing the product. It is essential to keep in mind that you may have further queries and questions, as you should.
These are just a few considerations that we consider absolutely crucial. You can find detailed answers to almost all of your questions by some internet research or even by trying out the product at the store.
Huge Variety And Selection
The online platforms around the world are growing exponentially in size, and that applies to the selection of products as well. As they get more popular, more and more brands sign up to sell their products on online platforms.
They have a wide range of products across many categories, divided and organized well. This helps you find exactly what you are looking for easily. You may even get software-generated recommendations for products you may need. This includes what does an estrogen blocker do and many more.
Having a huge variety means that you can assess your preferences and choices. You can choose from a range of alternatives before purchasing. This is often not the case in most physical stores, where there is a limitation to the number of brands.
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Struggling With Performance Or Not Seeing Progress
If youre not seeing the results you believe you should despite putting in the training and proper nutrition, or if chronic fatigue is preventing you from putting in much effort at all, a hormone imbalance like Low T might be the root cause.
Dont take matters into your own hands. Seek professional help.
We recommend taking the first step towards looking and feeling better by getting a thorough examination that focuses on finding the actual source of whats holding you back.
At Testosterone Centers of Texas, the first consult is freeclick the button to get started.
When Is Hormone Therapy Used For Breast Cancer
Hormone therapy is often used after surgery to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Sometimes it is started before surgery .
It is usually taken for at least 5 years. Treatment longer than 5 years might be offered to women whose cancers have a higher chance of coming back. A test called the Breast Cancer Index might be used to help decide if a woman will benefit from more than 5 years of hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy can also be used to treat cancer that has come back after treatment or that has spread to other parts of the body.
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They May Improve Cognitive Performance
It has been proved that men with high testosterone and lowestrogen level perform better on cognitive tests compared to men with low testosterone and high estrogen.
One study suggests that cognitive abilities could be enhanced in older men who keep their testosterone levels high and their estrogen levels low. The study, published in 1999 by researchers at the University of California San Diego, looked at testosterone and estrogen levels among a group of over 500 men aged 59 and up .
The men had standard blood tests done to check their hormone levels, then underwent a series of tests of cognitive ability, including tests for memory, visual reasoning, and overall mental state. It was seen that men with higher testosterone ticked all the above-mentioned boxes as compared to the ones with the lower levels.
Summary: Studies have shown that cognitive abilities could be enhanced, in older men, by improving their testosterone levels and lowering estrogen levels.