Why are transsexual people at risk of developing osteoporosis?
In the male to female transsexual person, testosterone production is stopped. Oestrogen, with or without a progestogen, is taken to give a more feminine appearance. In the female to male transsexual person the opposite applies. Both of these sex hormones (testosterone for men and oestrogen for women) are necessary to maintain bone density. The transsexual person becomes at risk of developing osteoporosis if the sex hormones (replacement or natural) are discontinued leaving them with no hormones of either kind. The female to male transsexual person may also experience menopausal symptoms due to the lack of their bodies’ natural oestrogen and irrespective of whether they stop hormonal treatment or not, tend to lose bone density. Hormone therapy needs to be continued on a long term basis to prevent osteoporosis.
