Question

An adult patient is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle collision with complaints of neck pain. They have identified as a person in the process of transitioning from male to female. What effect of hormone therapy should be considered when planning care for this patient?

A. Estrogen therapy decreases the risk of venous thromboembolism
B. Insufficient testosterone therapy may increase bone density
C. Testosterone therapy may increase blood pressure
D. Estradiol therapy may decrease muscle mass

Answer 1

When planning care for a transitioning patient, it is important to consider the effects of hormone therapy. In this case, estrogen therapy may decrease muscle mass. Hormone therapy involves the use of medication to induce physical changes in appearance and secondary sex characteristics.

Step-by-step explanation:

When planning care for a patient transitioning from male to female, it is important to consider the effects of hormone therapy. In this case, the effect to consider is D. Estradiol therapy may decrease muscle mass. Hormone therapy involves the administration of exogenous endocrine agents to induce changes in physical appearance and secondary sex characteristics. For trans-females, the prescribed medication includes estrogen and anti-testosterone drugs, which can lead to a decrease in muscle mass.

Answer 2

In the case of a transitioning patient, estrogen therapy may be important to consider, as it is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism and can affect bone density—important factors when assessing an individual with neck pain following an accident.

The correct answer is option A. Estrogen therapy decreases the risk of venous thromboembolism

Step-by-step explanation:

When planning care for a patient in the process of transitioning from male to female and presenting with neck pain following a motor vehicle collision, one must consider the effects of hormone therapy. Specifically, such a patient may be taking estrogen or anti-testosterone medications, which can influence various physiological processes and risk profiles. It's relevant to note that estrogen therapy is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), contrary to decreasing it. Estrogen's role in cardiovascular health is complex; while it can reduce the risk of diseases in some populations by decreasing cholesterol in the blood vessels, it can also contribute to negative outcomes such as VTE. Additionally, estrogen affects calcium metabolism; without sufficient estrogen, bone density can decrease, but the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to counteract this can carry its own risks. In the context of transgender individuals on feminizing hormone therapy, this may similarly impact bone density and cardiovascular risks. Moreover, high doses of testosterone therapy, more relevant in female-to-male transitions, can increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer and may raise blood pressure.