Humm, lessee .... When I was in my teens (a LONG time ago
) and they tested me for E and T they found out I was a fish LOL! My T level was WAY low (for a male) and my E was low (for a female) and slightly cyclic. After corrective surgery at 24 my hormone levels dropped even more and I was on estrogen pills for about 10 years but eventually taken off because of the supposed "health risks".
Fast forward to age 54 and I was feeling very "dried out" (and looking it) so my G.P. allowed me to go back on Premerin. Two years ago I asked to be referred to an endocrinologist to see if this was the right thing. The endo immediately put me on estrogen patches and ordered a bone scan; she said the pills don't create a measurable estrogen level in the blood and are hard on the kidneys (or was it liver?). The bone scan showed bone density loss in my lower back, not quite to the osteoporosis level, from years of insufficient hormone levels. I am now on the patch for as long as I want to be.
There may be risks to the long term use of estrogen but there are definite consequences to being without! As a figure skater, having healthy bones is important to me.
I am disappointed that I was left for so many years with inadequate hormone levels but I guess the medical community is still learning about the risks/benefits to.