Suppressed Testosterone Following Blocker Treatment
Suppressed Testosterone Following Blocker Treatment
When someone stops using Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), their testosterone levels may remain low or even decrease further. GnRHa are medications used to suppress the production of testosterone in individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) who are undergoing feminizing hormone therapy or gender-affirming care.
Here’s why:
Suppression by estrogen therapy: If you are taking estrogen as hormone replacement therapy, your body will consider that it has enough hormones and that can lead to continued testosterone suppression.
Rebound Effect: GnRHa work by initially causing an increase in testosterone levels (a flare-up) followed by a sustained suppression. When someone stops using GnRHa, there can be a rebound effect, where the body begins to produce more testosterone than usual before eventually returning to baseline levels. This temporary increase in testosterone levels can be followed by a period of lower-than-normal testosterone levels.
Hypogonadism: Prolonged use of GnRHa can lead to suppression of the pituitary gland’s ability to produce luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are needed for testosterone production. After stopping GnRHa, it may take some time for the pituitary gland to recover and resume normal hormone production, resulting in persistently low testosterone levels.
Testicular Function: GnRHa can also directly suppress testicular function, leading to decreased testosterone production by the testes. Even after discontinuing GnRHa, it may take time for the testes to regain full function and resume normal testosterone production.
Individual Variability: Some individuals may have different responses to stopping GnRHa based on factors such as age, overall health, duration of GnRHa use, and underlying medical conditions.
A strategy for nonbinary individuals Some nonbinary individuals may not wish to achieve full masculinising changes or full feminising changes, but instead may wish to attain androgynous bodily changes. There are hormonal strategies that can help ...
For many trans women and transfeminine people, oestrogen is an essential part of feminising hormone treatment. However, feminising hormone treatment with oestrogen can cause changes in penile anatomy and physiology, including penile atrophy ...
Testosterone gel is a topical medication used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to increase testosterone levels in individuals with low testosterone. It is commonly prescribed for transgender men or individuals with hypogonadism. Here’s a guide to ...
For various reasons, people who are receiving gender affirming medical treatment may decide to stop their treatment temporarily and recommence at a later date. Reasons for this may include having side effects or medical complications, or because of ...
Quick summary Taking gender affirming hormone treatment can suppress sperm or egg production, which can have an impact on your fertility. The exact effect of gender affirming hormone treatment on fertility is unclear and different people may be ...