ROGDBOYS.org, New Site with References RE Brain Shrinkage from Estrogen in Males!

We must study males and females separately, because our systems are affected differently from medical treatments. Bravo to the individuals behind rogdboys.org!

In 3 or so weeks, my iris bed will look like this!

The new website, rogdboys.org, has the citations for new studies showing the cognitive effects, in both demonstrated deteriorated problem solving skills and brain shrinkage evidence from animal studies, which should be cause of concern. My take is that every public university taking taxpayer funds must present this information in their classes on child development, mental health and public health, to counter the cult-like influence of trans ideology in the last 2 decades.

Knowing that my ex-husband started estrogen before his father’s cardiac episodes began (repeated strokes and heart attacks), I have to comment that a male between 16 and 36 will probably not know if his father’s genetics include a tendency toward cardiac issues. Estrogen in males weakens all joints and soft tissue. I do wonder if the practitioners would still have advised Neddy to take estrogen and go down “transition” pathways even if he knew of the family history of males with cardiac episodes?

Note that some of the language quoted from these studies says ‘transgender women’ instead of the more accurate phrase males on estrogen for cross-sex “transition.” The language in these studies is often problematic, evidence of the social coercion of the scientific process. My position is that the health risks, including post surgery incontinence and urinary problems requiring corrective surgeries, should have these doctors fleeing the field and learning how to repair cleft palate.

From ROGDBOYS.org~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Long-term use of estrogen in males is associated with cognitive impairment.

In a recent case-control study (van Heesewijk et al., 2023), transgender-identified males (TIMs) who had been on long-term cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) had lower scores than both biological males and females in information-processing speed and episodic memory (this study, from researchers at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, was presented at the 2023 EPATH [the European arm of WPATH] conference in Killarney, Ireland). Furthermore, based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey between 2016–2018, Lambrou et al. found that 14% of transgender-identified and 17% of nonbinary adults over the age of 45 in the US reported subjective cognitive decline (or SCD)—an early symptom that may indicate Alzheimer’s dementia—as compared with 10% for non-transgender-identifying men and women (the study could not identify how many of those identifying as transgender or gender nonbinary were taking hormones) (Lambrou et al., 2020). There are known associations between the observed brain changes after estrogen therapy with various medical conditions (see above, under “Brain Structure”). For example, gray matter damage is associated with memory loss, cognitive impairment, and motor movement issues (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

van Heesewijk, J., Dreijerink, K., Wiepjes, C., Kok, A., Geurtsen, G., van Schoor, N., Huisman, M., den Heijer, M., & Kreukels, B. (2023, April 26–28). Cognitive functioning after long-term gender-affirming hormone therapy—A study in older transgender individuals [Paper presentation]. EPATH 2023: Killarney, Ireland. 233–234. https://epath2023.exordo.com/programme/presentation/98

Lambrou, N. H., Gleason, C. E., Cicero, E., & Flatt, J. D. (2020, July 30). Prevalence of subjective cognitive decline higher among transgender and gender nonbinary adults in the U.S., 2016–2018. 2020 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.

https://alz.confex.com/alz/20amsterdam/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/44298

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Long-term cardiovascular risk goes up dramatically with cross-sex hormone treatment.

A recent systematic review includes a meta-analysis of different cardiovascular diseases among medicalized transgender-identified males (TIMs) as compared to natal males not on estrogen therapy (van Zijverden et al., 2024).

The results indicated a 30% increase in the incidence of stroke, a similar increase in myocardial infarction, and a 220% increase in the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among those on feminizing hormones.

Another systematic review that focused only on VTE did not make a direct comparison between TIMs on cross-sex hormone treatment (CSHT) and natal males not on CSHT; instead, it compared the incidence rate of the former (2.7%) with that of natal males on other hormone therapy (VTE 0.4%): a nearly seven-fold increase among TIMs on CSHT (Kotamarti et al., 2021). The authors also mention “some reports suggesting a 20-fold increase” when comparing TIMs on CSHT to natal males who are not on any hormonal treatment (Nakatsuka, 2010).

Two recent large studies exemplify these risks. There is a dramatic increase in acute cardiovascular events among TIMs after the first few years of estrogen therapy. A large US cohort study including 2,842 TIMs found a 50% higher VTE incidence within the first two years of hormone treatment compared to natal males not on CSHT.

After two years on feminizing hormones, this rate rose 5.1 times higher (Getahun et al., 2018). Within six years, the incidence of ischemic stroke went up by 30%, and beyond six years, it went up nearly ten times higher (9.9). These findings highlight the importance of long-term follow-up: the risks seem manageable at the two-year mark but go up dramatically afterward. In a similarly large Dutch cohort study including 2,517 TIMs, the mean standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of stroke among TIMs was 1.80 (95% CI 1.23–2.56), and that of VTE was 4.55 (95% CI 3.55–5.69) after an average follow-up time of about nine years (Nota et al., 2019).

A related issue is the increased risk for ophthalmic disorders. One study discusses the case of a TIM on transdermal estradiol gel hormone replacement therapy who experienced sudden loss of vision and metamorphopsia (Andzembe et al., 2023). The authors conclude that as “estrogen increases cardiovascular risk when used in hormone replacement therapy, RVO [retinal vein occlusion] is a complication that must be taken into account . . . especially in transgender women who are more at risk.”

Van Zijverden, L. M., Wiepjes, C. M., Van Diemen, J. J., Thijs, A., & Den Heijer, M. (2024). Cardiovascular disease in transgender people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Endocrinology, 190(2), S13–S24. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejendo/lvad170

Getahun, D., Nash, R., Flanders, W. D., Baird, T. C., Becerra-Culqui, T. A., Cromwell, L., Hunkeler, E., Lash, T. L., Millman, A., Quinn, V. P., Robinson, B., Roblin, D., Silverberg, M. J., Safer, J., Slovis, J., Tangpricha, V., & Goodman, M. (2018). Cross-sex hormones and acute cardiovascular events in transgender persons.Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(4), 205–213. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-2785

Nota, N. M., Wiepjes, C. M., de Blok, C. J. M., Gooren, L. J. G., Kreukels, B. P. C., & den Heijer, M. (2019). Occurrence of acute cardiovascular events in transgender individuals receiving hormone therapy.Circulation, 139(11), 1461–1462. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038584

Andzembe, V., Miere, A., Zambrowski, O., Glacet-Bernard, A., & Souied, E. H. (2023). Branch retinal vein occlusion secondary to hormone replacement therapy in a transgender woman. Journal francais d'ophtalmologie, 46(2), 148–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2022.07.024