Search results for topical hormones and pets

Hormones and sex

Posted by Liz on Aug 13, 2012 in estrogen, HRT | 0 comments

About a year ago I wrote several posts cautioning women that use of topical hormone gels or sprays could place both pets and children at risk for early puberty, swelling of vulvas, enlarged mammary glands and even small penises. But what about your partner during sexual intimacy? Does a similar danger exist?

Evidently it does, at least according to data from a very very small study that was published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine about four years ago. In fact, postmenopausal women who used vaginal estradiol cream (e.g. Estrace) and then had intercourse placed their male partners at risk for a significant increase in estradiol levels in their blood. Moreover, vaginal estradiol cream evidently affected 80% of the men who had intercourse with women using vaginal hormones. On the flip side? Intercourse resulted in lower levels of estradiol in women using the cream. Notably, these changes were minimal but the researchers noted that over time and with long-term exposure, men might start to develop changes associated with feminine hormones such as those seen in small children and pets.

If you are going to use topical or vaginal hormones, be smart about them. Topical hormones should be applied to areas that are not exposed to children or that may be licked by pets, such as the inner thigh. After a certain time period, vaginal estradiol cream can be used one to three times weekly in some women; speak to your practitioner about your treatment and if you can cut back on certain days in order to protect your male partner. An ounce of prevention can protect those you love and may even enhance your sex life!

FDA: Keep children away from topical hormone spray

Posted by Liz on Aug 2, 2010 in HRT | 0 comments

Do you remember the post back in June about topical hormones, i.e. transdermal sprays, lotions, gels and patches harming your pets?  Evidently, they may also be harmful for your children as well. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has just issued a warning that children should not come in contact with any skin area where Evamist®, a low dose estrogen spray for menopausal symptoms, has been applied.

Similar to reported side effects in animals, the FDA is review reports in children between the age of 3 and 5 years of age who have developed signs of premature puberty following unintentional exposure after a caregiver uses Evamist (the spray is applied on the skin on the inside of the forearm between the elbow and wrist). They include:

• Nipple swelling and breast development/mass in young girls
• Breast enlargement in young boys

The FDA is now saying that exposed pets, especially small animals, who lick or rub their owners’ arms while being held may develop similar symptoms aw well as swelling of the vulvar.

To quote the FDA: “Keep kids and small pets away from skin sprayed with Evamist.”

Yet another reason to stay away from use of hormonal agents and drugs during menopause.

Is topical HRT hurting your pet?

Posted by Liz on Jun 14, 2010 in HRT | 2 comments

File this one under “OMG.” I ran across a piece this past weekend that discussed the effect that topical hormones, particularly HRT, might be having on your pets. Although experts from the North American Menopause Association (NAMS) are quoted as saying that they’ve not heard of this before, the reporter  uncovered five years worth of discussion on veterinary internet boards. Evidently, vets are seeing female animal patients with swollen vulvas and male patients with enlarged mammary glands and smaller than normal penises.

It appears that exposure occurs when owners apply topical hormone gels, lotions and sprays to the arms (i.e. elbows, wrists) and legs and then handle or snuggle with their pets. The problem has also been associated with pets unwittingly licking the areas where owners have applied the drugs.

Evidently, the Food and Drug Administration is looking into this as is the NAMS. In the interim, if you are using topical hormones, you might want to be more careful where you apply them (e.g. inner thigh or abdomen) and be sure to wash your hands before handling your pets.

And if your animal is exhibiting unusual signs? Bring them into the vet immediately.

Has anyone encountered this before? I’d love for readers to weigh in.