I heard that most surgeons require that their MTF patients go off all HRT a few weeks prior to surgery. Is that true? If so why?
By -- Mar 16, 2022
Yes it is true. In the one to two years (and in some cases longer) period leading up to surgery, genetic males require very large doses of feminizing estrogens in order to overcome the androgenic effects of their testicles. Estrogens even in the low doses commonly given to menopausal women are widely known to be a possible cause of blood clots. By having the individual go off HRT for a short period prior to surgery reduces the risk of the formation of clot's that might form during the surgery. If blood clot's form, there is the danger that one or more will get into the blood stream where they can migrate to other areas of the body causing serious ancillary damage such as a stroke.
