Read on Twitter
I guess it's because I'm trans and Green that this keeps coming up.
There is a suggestion by people with anti-trans views that taking oestrogen as part of hormone treatment is harmful to the environment, because they are "synthetic".
This is wrong on a few levels. A thread: 1/8
There is a suggestion by people with anti-trans views that taking oestrogen as part of hormone treatment is harmful to the environment, because they are "synthetic".
This is wrong on a few levels. A thread: 1/8
I'll start off with science.
There are lots of different types of oestrogen, not all are created equal. Most are very weak, which means they break down quite quickly.
The strongest of the three types produced in human bodies is Estradiol, which we will be talking about now. 2/8
There are lots of different types of oestrogen, not all are created equal. Most are very weak, which means they break down quite quickly.
The strongest of the three types produced in human bodies is Estradiol, which we will be talking about now. 2/8
There have been a few early studies that suggest that ethinyl estradiol is more persistent in water sources and that this may cause harm.
This is a synthetic hormone and it is possibly harmful as it's chemically different from estradiol that is found in humans or nature. 3/8
This is a synthetic hormone and it is possibly harmful as it's chemically different from estradiol that is found in humans or nature. 3/8
The estradiol used in HRT is bioidentical, meaning it is the same chemically to the estradiol that is found in humans, therefore it will act like natural estradiol.
So ethinyl estradiol is not used for HRT, instead, it is used in the combination pill for birth control. 4/8
So ethinyl estradiol is not used for HRT, instead, it is used in the combination pill for birth control. 4/8
Now for the ethical issues and get a few different variations on why trans people shouldn't have HRT.
First that HRT is very harmful to the environment.
As I've explained that this is not at all the case. Even if it was the answer isn't to shame the people taking it. 5/8
First that HRT is very harmful to the environment.
As I've explained that this is not at all the case. Even if it was the answer isn't to shame the people taking it. 5/8
Second that all medication is harmful to the environment and trans people don't really need HRT.
Patients should be deciding what is the best treatment for themselves, with advice from their doctors, not Twitter.
And HRT makes a big improvement to the lives of trans people. 6/8
Patients should be deciding what is the best treatment for themselves, with advice from their doctors, not Twitter.
And HRT makes a big improvement to the lives of trans people. 6/8
Last that no one should have medication, apart those that treat "physical ailments" due to "big pharma" just pushing these drugs.
This is were transphobia meets ableism and conspiracy theories, also antisemitism comes in here quite often with the mention of George Soros. 7/8
This is were transphobia meets ableism and conspiracy theories, also antisemitism comes in here quite often with the mention of George Soros. 7/8
There is no good reason to deny people medication when a patient has given informed consent and it is safe to do so.
Trying to say I'm not really a Green, because I take medication that I need to be able to function in my day to day life, is just transphobia and/or ableism. 8/8
Trying to say I'm not really a Green, because I take medication that I need to be able to function in my day to day life, is just transphobia and/or ableism. 8/8
