INFLUENCE OF GONADAL STEROIDS ON AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN TRANSSEXUALS

Abstract

Objective: The effects of hormone therapy on systolic blood pressure in transsexual women are inconsistent, with most studies showing an increase. In transsexual men, testosterone therapy consistently increases systolic blood pressure and may increase diastolic blood pressure. During or following testosterone treatment in transgender men some studies observed a slight increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. During testosterone treatment other studies found a modest increase only in systolic blood pressure and one reported a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. In one study, treatment in transgender men blood pressure was expressed as mean arterial pressure, and no changes were observed. However, one study reported two case of hypertension, with return to normal blood pressure values after cessation of testosterone therapy. Design and method: The aim of this study was to see is there significant ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) changes in transsexual women and in transsexual men? We have analysed ambulatory blood pressure changes in 43 male to female (MTF) and in 36 female to male (FTM) transsexuals. Validated Meditech ABPM 05 device was used to measure 24 h blood pressure changes. Results: In transsexual women we have found 3.2% decrease in systolic and 2.3% in diastolic blood pressure levels during or following hormone therapy. In transsexual men, testosterone therapy dependably increases 3.6% systolic and 3.2% diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Our findings support evidence of blood pressure lowering effect of oestrogens and increase of blood pressure with administration of androgens in transsexuals.