Male-to-female transsexual on estrogen: sudden death due to pulmonary thromboembolism Murty OP, Additional Professor Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-10029, India. Email: dropmurty@yahoo.co.in Abstract One male-to-female transsexual who was on estrogen for few years who died suddenly is discussed. This category of transsexuals, feel that they are really women on the inside but are wrongly born as male. This male-to-female transsexual was living as woman and was taking highdoses of estrogen daily for last few years. One day in evening hours, he developed acute respiratory distress and died suddenly due to pulmonary thromboembolism. The physical examination of deceased showed normal male physique with male genitalia. He had developed female type contour due to hormonal therapy. He had long black hair, smooth skin, female type body fat distribution, conspicuous gynaecomastia, nipple enlargement with pigmentation and female pattern of black public hair. Lower part of the body was heavier than the upper part, had developed an ideal woman appearance. The case report is presented with illustrated photographs of morphological, macroscopic and microscopic findings. It is an important social issue and highlights great risks of estrogen therapy when used against the original nature of the body. The case is discussed with review of literature and possible parameters to be adopted at the time of autopsy in such cases. Top Keywords Transsexual, estrogen, complication of hormonal therapy, sudden death, DVT, male-to-female transsexual, Gender identity disorders. Top |