Warning issued to anyone taking hormone or testosterone replacement therapy

Warning issued to anyone taking hormone or testosterone replacement therapy People have been warned of the risks of accidental exposure and what signs to look out for The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has today, June 11, issued a warning to anyone taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The alert is primarily aimed at people who regularly come into contact with animals and pets, including cats and dogs. Pets are naturally curious, affectionate, and often glued to their owners, which is why accidental exposure to topical hormone products is easier than people might think. Evidence suggests that pets may absorb oestrogen or testosterone by coming into contact with areas of human skin where hormone gels and creams have been applied. Forearms are a frequently recommended application site in prescribing guidelines, which could increase the likelihood of direct contact during cuddling or stroking pets. These everyday behaviours can lead to unintended hormonal effects in pets, a risk many people are unaware of. The risk can be easily managed with a few small changes. It is important to remember that you should not consider stopping any of your prescribed medications if your pet displays signs of hormone exposure. What are topical hormone products? Topical hormone products containing oestrogen and testosterone are human medicines applied to the skin as part of HRT and TRT. HRT gels and creams are used to help with menopause symptoms. TRT products are authorised to replace low testosterone levels, a condition known as hypogonadism. There is also a TRT product authorised for use in women for hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD). What signs of accidental hormone exposure should vets and pet owners look for? Hormonal changes in pets caused by secondary exposure can vary by the animal’s sex, and symptoms can differ depending on whether the animal absorbs oestrogen or testosterone. Female pets, whether spayed or not, may show signs similar to being in heat, such as vaginal bleeding and a swollen vulva. In pregnant animals, such exposure can lead to birth defects. Male pets can develop swollen mammary glands and a change in testicular size. Pets of any sex may experience hair loss, behavioural changes, increased attention from other pets, and reduced growth rate. If exposed long-term, less common effects like bone marrow suppression may also occur. What can you do to reduce risk? To help minimise secondary exposure to your pet, the VMD recommends the following steps: - Keep pets away from areas of skin where human topical hormone products have recently been applied. - Wash your hands with soap and water after application. - Cover the application site with clean clothing (such as a t-shirt) once the product has dried. - Consult the Patient Information Leaflet that accompanies the product and/or a doctor if concerned. What is the VMD doing about this? The VMD says it continually monitors all reports of suspected adverse events (both adverse reactions and lack of efficacy reports), not only from licensed veterinary medicines, but also from human medicines used in animals and accidental exposure to human medicines. A statement on Gov.uk reads: "All cases are evaluated, and we perform statistical analysis of this data to identify groups of reports (a statistically significant number of reports with the same or similar event) that could indicate a problem with a product. By sharing findings and raising awareness, the VMD aims to support vets and pet owners in making informed decisions when using the medicine." How do I report an adverse event? If you are made aware of an adverse event in an animal after (potential) exposure to a human hormone product administered to a human, report directly to the VMD’s adverse event reporting service. The VMD will use reports to assess whether medicines remain safe and work as expected, to protect animal, public, and environmental health. Any human adverse reactions to authorised human medicines should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card scheme. The MHRA has also published information on the risks to children following accidental exposure to Topical testosterone (Testogel).