Yes, in a sufficiently long term, testosterone suppresses estrogen production. In addition, treating mood disorders related to menstruation by stabilizing hormones is one. Our bodies produce estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone naturally, with levels that vary depending on gender at birth. This means that, in general, non-binary people don't need to take estrogen and testosterone at the same time, because the body is already producing enough of it of one of them.
For example, a non-binary AMAB person who takes estrogen without first suppressing their endogenous (naturally produced) testosterone could experience a feminizing effect without a substantial reduction in their masculine traits. The combination of esterified estrogen and methyltestosterone is used to treat menopausal symptoms in patients who are not relieved after being treated with estrogen alone. These symptoms may include a feeling of heat, sweating, and warmth in the face, neck, or chest (hot flashes) and a dry, burning, and itchy vagina. Using estrogen alone increases the risk of uterine cancer. Adding progesterone to hormone replacement protects the uterus from cancer.
For this reason, estrogen-only preparations are generally only used in postmenopausal women who have undergone hysterectomy. Because they don't have a uterus, these women are not at risk of uterine cancer and therefore don't need progesterone. You may consider taking testosterone if you have symptoms that suggest a testosterone deficiency and you have low testosterone levels or low levels of the Free Androgen Index (FAI). Testosterone can be taken together with estrogen and progesterone, or it can be used alone.
Blood tests are usually recommended a few months after starting testosterone treatment to ensure that levels are within the normal “female” range. The dose will be adjusted accordingly, based on your levels and whether you have ongoing symptoms of low testosterone levels. Blood tests allow us to analyze both the total levels of testosterone in the body and the amount available. To calculate the FAI (free androgen index), a level of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is added.
Some research supports the safe and effective use of estrogen blockers and testosterone therapy at the same time. Both can be used because testosterone therapy can increase the amount of estrogen in the body due to an increase in aromatase activity. If testosterone and estrogen levels are elevated, a simple dose reduction in testosterone therapy can resolve the problem and restore the proper balance between these two essential hormones. Encouraging men to lose body fat will also help lower estradiol levels by reducing aromatase activity in the body.
The quintessential male hormone is testosterone, and testosterone is by far the most important androgen in the body. One study found that taking an estrogen blocker called an aromatase inhibitor during testosterone treatment reduced estrogen and addressed low testosterone levels. However, not everyone who experiences age-related reductions in testosterone will have symptoms due to the change in testosterone levels. A study found that 20% of men over 60 and 50% of those over 80 experience lower testosterone levels.
Other symptoms of low testosterone include dysphoric mood (anxiety, irritability, depression), lack of well-being, physical fatigue, loss of bone mass, loss of muscle mass, changes in cognition, memory loss, insomnia, hot flashes, joint pain, and urinary discomfort, including incontinence. Correcting testosterone deficiency with testosterone replacement therapy can improve sexual function, energy, mood, concentration, sleep, bone mineral density and body composition. Many women find that taking testosterone as part of their hormone therapy is even better than taking estrogen alone (with or without progesterone). In some cases, men will achieve great results after starting testosterone replacement therapy, but those results will wear off between 4 and 6 months later.
Therefore, a person does not need to start taking an aromatase inhibitor when starting testosterone therapy, but they should carefully monitor their estradiol levels and ask them periodically about potential estrogen-related side effects. Testosterone therapy involves correcting low testosterone levels in men by administering testosterone. Using large doses of estrogen alone for a long period of time may increase the risk of some types of cancer (e.g., treatment with testosterone does not usually cause side effects, as it is given to replace testosterone that would otherwise be lacking).Overdosing testosterone can also cause elevated estrogen levels directly through normal aromatization. Testosterone must leave the bloodstream and enter organs and tissues to exert its powerful effects.
Testosterone also helps improve muscle mass and bone strength, cardiovascular health, and overall energy levels and sleep quality. Most hormone replacement therapy (HRT) preparations used to treat menopausal symptoms contain estrogen, progesterone, or both hormones.
