Medical transition

  • Puberty blockers are more than a ‘pause button’: roughly 98% of children who take them go on to take cross-sex hormones. Expand
    Puberty blockers are more than a ‘pause button’: roughly 98% of children who take them go on to take cross-sex hormones.

    A 2021 study from the UK [1] found that only 1 out of 44 children placed on puberty blockers did not continue to take cross-sex hormones.

    Similarly, a Dutch study [2] reported that only 1.9% of adolescents who started puberty suppression treatment abandoned this course and did not take cross-sex hormones.

    In fact, in a different Dutch study [3], “[n]o adolescent withdrew from puberty suppression, and all started cross‐sex hormone treatment, the first step of actual gender reassignment.”

    Puberty blockers are drugs which change young bodies in ways we have yet to understand, and may be permanent. This is an experimental treatment program: puberty blockers have never been licensed to treat children with gender dysphoria, in any country.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Carmichael, P., Butler, G., Masic, U., Cole, T. J., De Stavola, B. L., Davidson, S., Skageberg, E. M., Khadr, S., & Viner, R. M. (2021). Short-term outcomes of pubertal suppression in a selected cohort of 12 to 15 year old young people with persistent gender dysphoria in the UK. PLOS ONE 16 (2). [Link]

    [2] Wiepjes, C.M., Nota, N.M., de Blok, C.J.M., Klaver, M., de Vries, A.L.C., Wensing-Kruger, S.A., de Jongh, R.T., Bouman, M.B., Steensma, T.D., Cohen-Kettenis, P., Gooren, L.J.G., Kreukels, B.P.C. & den Heijer, M. (2018). The Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria Study (1972-2015): Trends in Prevalence, Treatment, and Regrets. Journal of Sexual Medicine 15 (4). [Link]

    [3] de Vries, A.L.C., Steensma, T.D., Doreleijers, T.A. & Cohen-Kettenis, P.T. (2011). Puberty suppression in adolescents with gender identity disorder: a prospective follow-up study. J Sex Med 8 (8): 2276-83. [Link]

  • There has been a roughly twenty-fold rise in the number of people seeking transition, with teenagers hugely over-represented. Expand
    There has been a roughly twenty-fold rise in the number of people seeking transition, with teenagers hugely over-represented.

    A 2017 paper [1] reports that “the prevalence of a self-reported transgender identity in children, adolescents and adults ranges from 0.5 to 1.3%, markedly higher than prevalence rates based on clinic-referred samples of adults.”

    This is reflected in data from gender clinics. The UK’s Gender Identity Development Service reported [2] a twenty-fold increase in referrals over the course of the last decade:

    This surge was primarily driven by adolescents, with 15 being the most common age of referral:

    Similarly, a Dutch gender identity clinic reported [3] a twenty-fold increase, albeit over a longer time span: from 34 in 1980 to 686 in 2015:

    New Zealand [4], Finland [5] and Canada [6] have recorded similar dramatic exponential increases.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Zucker, K. J. (2017). Epidemiology of gender dysphoria and transgender identity. Sexual Health 14 (5): 404-411. [Link]

    [2] Gender Identity Development Service (2021). Referrals to GIDS, financial years 2010-11 to 2020-21. [Link]

    [3] Wiepjes, C.M., Nota, N.M., de Blok, C.J.M., Klaver, M., de Vries, A.L.C., Wensing-Kruger, S.A., de Jongh, R.T., Bouman, M.B., Steensma, T.D., Cohen-Kettenis, P., Gooren, L.J.G., Kreukels, B.P.C. & den Heijer, M. (2018). The Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria Study (1972-2015): Trends in Prevalence, Treatment, and Regrets. Journal of Sexual Medicine 15 (4). [Link]

    [4] Delahunt, J.W., Denison, H.J., Sim, D.A., Bullock, J.J. & Krebs, J.D. (2018). Increasing rates of people identifying as transgender presenting to Endocrine Services in the Wellington region. N Z Med J 131: 33-42. [Link]

    [5] Kaltiala-Heino, R., Sumia, M., Työläjärvi, M. & Lindberg, N. (2015). Two years of gender identity service for minors: overrepresentation of natal girls with severe problems in adolescent development. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 9 (1). [Link]

    [6] Aitken, M., Steensma, T.D., Blanchard, R., VanderLaan, D.P., Wood, H., Fuentes, A., Spegg, C., Wasserman, L., Ames, M., Fitzsimmons, C.L., Leef, J.H., Lishak, V., Reim, E., Takagi, A., Vinik, J., Wreford, J., Cohen-Kettenis, P.T., de Vries, A.L., Kreukels, B.P. & Zucker, K.J. (2015). Evidence for an altered sex ratio in clinic-referred adolescents with gender dysphoria. J Sex Med 12 (3): 756-63. [Link]

  • The profile of people seeking transition has shifted drastically, from overwhelmingly middle-aged males to predominantly adolescent females. Expand
    The profile of people seeking transition has shifted drastically, from overwhelmingly middle-aged males to predominantly adolescent females.

    A 2017 paper [1] notes that “in adolescents, there has been a recent inversion in the sex ratio from one favouring birth-assigned males to one favouring birth-assigned females.” By contrast, over 90% of transsexual adults in the 1960s were male [2].

    In fact, there was hardly any scientific literature before 2012 on girls ages 11 to 21 ever having developed gender dysphoria at all. Yet of the young people described in Lisa Littman’s 2018 seminal paper on young people [3], 82.8% were female.

    The data for the UK’s Gender Identity Development Service [4] show that 138 children were referred in 2011, and most of those children were boys. By 2021, however, a complete sex ratio reversal had occurred, and the clinic saw 2383 children that year, with almost 70% being female.

    A 2017 article by Lisa Marchiano [5] collated data from different clinics around the world and found international evidence for this shift in distribution.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Zucker, K. J. (2017). Epidemiology of gender dysphoria and transgender identity. Sexual Health 14 (5): 404-411. [Link]

    [2] Barrett, J. (2015). Written evidence submitted by British Association of Gender Identity Specialists to the Transgender Equality Inquiry. data.parliament.uk [Link]

    [3] Littman, L. (2018). Rapid-onset gender dysphoria in adolescents and young adults: A study of parental reports. PLOS ONE, 13 (8). [Link]

    [4] Gender Identity Development Service (2021). Referrals to GIDS, financial years 2010-11 to 2020-21. [Link]

    [5] Marchiano, L. (2017). Outbreak: On Transgender Teens and Psychic Epidemics. Psychological Perspectives 60 (3): 345-366. [Link]

  • There is limited evidence that medical transition leads to positive outcomes. Expand
    There is limited evidence that medical transition leads to positive outcomes.

    A number of different studies have noted the paucity of good quality evidence for transition.

    An Australian paper [1] states that most available evidence indicating positive outcomes for gender reassignment is of poor quality.

    A German study [2] “found insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy or safety of hormonal treatment approaches for transgender women in transition”, adding that “[t]his lack of studies shows a gap between current clinical practice and clinical research.”

    A British review [3] conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) graded certainty of evidence for puberty blocker use as “very low” in every category, including impact on gender dysphoria, mental health, body image, global functioning, psychosocial functioning, cognitive functioning, bone density and adverse effects.

    A chapter [4] in an edited volume details the low evidence base for treatment pathways employed at the UK’s Gender Identity Development Service, demonstrating how negative evidence was “ignored or suppressed”.

    Finally, a systematic review [5] commissioned by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to “systematically review the effect of gender-affirming hormone therapy on psychological outcomes among transgender people” noted that, in some areas, there was low quality or insufficient evidence.

    REFERENCES

    [1] D’Angelo, R. (2018). Psychiatry’s ethical involvement in gender-affirming care. Australasian Psychiatry 26 (5): 460-463. [Link]

    [2] Haupt, C., Henke, M., Kutschmar, A., Hauser, B., Baldinger, S., Saenz, S.R. & Schreiber, G. (2020). Antiandrogen or estradiol treatment or both during hormone therapy in transitioning transgender women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 11. [Link]

    [3] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2021). Evidence review: Gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); NHS England; NHS Improvement. [Link]

    [4] Biggs, M. (2019). The Tavistock’s Experiment with Puberty Blockers. In: Moore, M. & Brunskell-Evans, H. (eds.). Inventing Transgender Children and Young People. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. [Link]

    [5] Baker, K.E., Wilson, L.M., Sharma, R., Dukhanin, V., McArthur, K. & Robinson, K.A. (2021) Hormone Therapy, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Transgender People: A Systematic Review. Journal of the Endocrine Society 5 (4). [Link]

  • Studies on gender dysphoric young people often suffer from high rates of loss to follow-up – which could skew transition satisfaction rates. Expand
    Studies on gender dysphoric young people often suffer from high rates of loss to follow-up – which could skew transition satisfaction rates.

    In one study [1] of 77 pre-teen participants, 30% were lost to follow up by their teenage years: either they did not respond to the recruiting letter, or were not traceable. In another study [2], as many as 75% of participants were lost to follow up.

    An excellent précis of this problem can be found in a 2018 paper [3], which gives further detail:

    Smith et al. report that sex reassignment is effective, based on a study of 162 adults who had undergone SRS. They were able to obtain follow-up data from only 126 (78%) of subjects because a significant number were “untraceable” or had moved abroad.

    De Cuypere et al. report that sex reassignment surgery is an effective treatment for transsexuals. Of 107 patients who had undergone SRS between 1986 and 2001, 30 (28%) could not be contacted and 15 (14%) refused to participate.

    Johannson et al. reported good outcomes for SRS. Of 60 patients who had undergone SRS, 42 (70%) agreed to participate in the follow up research. Of the non-participants, 1 had died of complications of SRS, 8 could not be contacted and 9 refused to participate.

    Salvador et al. reported that SRS has a positive effect on psychosocial functioning. Only 55 of the 69 patients (80%) could be contacted as 17 were lost to follow-up

    Van de Grift et al. reported 94–96% of patients are satisfied with SRS and have good quality of life. A total of 546 patients with Gender Dysphoria who had applied for SRS at clinics in Amsterdam, Hamburg and Ghent were contacted to complete an online survey. Only 201 (37%) responded and completed the survey. 

    A good example of how this phenomenon can affect satisfaction and regret statistics comes from a 2018 paper [4], which is often cited as proof of low regret rates. The loss to follow up rate in this paper is 36%. The authors also state:

    In addition, in our population the average time to regret was 130 months, so it might be too early to examine regret rates in people who started with HT [hormonal treatment] in the past 10 years.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Wallien, M.S. & Cohen-Kettenis P.T. (2008) Psychosexual outcome of gender-dysphoric children. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 47 (12): 1413-23. [Link]

    [2] Rauchfleisch, U., Barth, D. & Battegay, R. (1998). Resultate einer Langzeitkatamnese von Transsexuellen. Der Nervenzart 69: 799-805. [Link]

    [3] D’Angelo, R. (2018). Psychiatry’s ethical involvement in gender-affirming care. Australasian Psychiatry 26 (5): 460-463. [Link]

    [4] Wiepjes, C.M., Nota, N.M., de Blok, C.J.M., Klaver, M., de Vries, A.L.C., Wensing-Kruger, S.A., de Jongh, R.T., Bouman, M.B., Steensma, T.D., Cohen-Kettenis, P., Gooren, L.J.G., Kreukels, B.P.C. & den Heijer, M. (2018). The Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria Study (1972-2015): Trends in Prevalence, Treatment, and Regrets. Journal of Sexual Medicine 15 (4). [Link]

  • All-cause mortality is higher among trans people than among the general population. Expand
    There is evidence that all-cause mortality is higher among trans people than among the general population.

    A Swedish study [1] found that sex-reassigned transsexual persons – both male and female – had approximately a three times higher risk of all-cause mortality than non-transsexuals. Elevated causes of mortality included cancer, cardiovascular disease, and violent crime:

    This finding was backed up by a Dutch study [2], which stated:

    This observational study showed an increased mortality risk in transgender people using hormone treatment, regardless of treatment type. This increased mortality risk did not decrease over time.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Dhejne, C., Lichtenstein, P., Boman, M., Johansson, A. L. V., Långström, N., & Landén, M. (2011). Long-term follow-up of transsexual persons undergoing sex reassignment surgery: Cohort study in Sweden. PLoS ONE, 6(2). [Link]

    [2] de Blok, C.J.M., Wiepjes, C.M., van Velzen, D.M., Staphorsius, A.S., Nota, N.M., Gooren, L.J.G., Kreukels, B.P.C. & den Heijer, M. (2021). Mortality trends over five decades in adult transgender people receiving hormone treatment: a report from the Amsterdam cohort of gender dysphoria. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology 9. [Link]

  • There is little evidence that medical transition decreases suicidality. Expand
    There is little evidence that medical transition decreases suicidality.

    When it comes to gender dysphoric children, there is little evidence that medical transition decreases suicide rates. There is little evidence to assert that puberty blockers are necessary to prevent suicide [1].

    After sex reassignment surgery, one study showed that adult transsexual clients were 4.9 times more likely to have made a suicide attempt and 19.1 times more likely to have died from suicide, after adjusting for prior psychiatric comorbidity [2]. Similarly, an Australian paper [3] notes that many patients have poor outcomes, which puts them at risk of suicide.

    A prominent study [4] claiming that medical transition alleviated suicidality had to be corrected [5], to clarify that it proved “no advantage of surgery” in this regard.

    A long-term Swedish study [6] finds that post-operative transgender people have “considerably higher risks” for suicidal behavior.

    Similarly, a study in the European Journal of Endocrinology [7] demonstrates that suicide rates among transgender male-to-females were 51% higher than the general population.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Biggs, M. (2020). Puberty Blockers and Suicidality in Adolescents Suffering from Gender Dysphoria. Archives of Sexual Behavior (49): 2227–2229. [Link]

    [2] Zucker, K.J., Lawrence, A.A., Kreukels, B.P. (2016). Gender Dysphoria in Adults. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 12: 217-47. [Link]

    [3] D’Angelo, R. (2018). Psychiatry’s ethical involvement in gender-affirming care. Australasian Psychiatry 26 (5): 460-463. [Link]

    [4] Bränström, R. & Pachankis, J. E. (2019). Reduction in Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Transgender Individuals After Gender-Affirming Surgeries: A Total Population Study. American Journal of Psychiatry 177 (8): 727-734. [Link]

    [5] American Journal of Psychiatry (2020). Correction to Bränström and Pachankis. Published online: 1 August 2020. [Link]

    [6] Dhejne, C., Lichtenstein, P., Boman, M., Johansson, A. L. V., Långström, N., & Landén, M. (2011). ‘Long-term follow-up of transsexual persons undergoing sex reassignment surgery: Cohort study in Sweden’. PLoS ONE, 6(2). [Link]

    [7] Asscheman, H., Giltay, E. J., Megens, J. A. J., de Ronde, W., van Trotsenburg, M. A. A. & Gooren, L. J. G. (2011). A long-term follow-up study of mortality in transsexuals receiving treatment with cross-sex hormones. European Journal of Endocrinology 164 (4). [Link]

  • Female-to-male genital reconstruction surgery has a high negative outcome rate, including urethral compromise and worsened mental health. Expand
    Female-to-male genital reconstruction surgery has a high negative outcome rate, including urethral compromise and worsened mental health.

    The results of a 2021 international survey [1] of 129 female-to-male patients who underwent genital reconstruction surgery support anecdotal reports that complication rates following genital reconstruction are higher than are commonly reported in the surgical literature. 

    Complication rates, including urethral compromise, and worsened mental health outcomes remain high for gender affirming penile reconstruction. In total, the 129 patients reported 281 complications requiring 142 revisions.

    Another paper [2] found a 70% complication rate in one type of female-to-male genital reconstruction surgery.

    Even with the “radial forearm free flap” method of creating a synthetic penis — “considered by many as the gold standard for phalloplasty” [3] — there are high rates of complications, with up to 64% urethroplasty related complications [4].

    REFERENCES

    [1] Robinson, I.S., Blasdel, G., Cohen, O., Zhao, L.C. & Bluebond-Langner, R. (2021). Surgical Outcomes Following Gender Affirming Penile Reconstruction: Patient-Reported Outcomes From a Multi-Center, International Survey of 129 Transmasculine Patients. J Sex Med 18 (4): 800-811. [Link]

    [2] Bettocchi, C., Ralph, D.J. & Pryor, J.P. (2005). Pedicled pubic phalloplasty in females with gender dysphoria. BJU Int. 95:120–4. [Link]

    [3] Rashid, M. & Tamimy, M. S. (2013). Phalloplasty: The dream and the reality. Indian J Plast Surg 46 (2): 283-293. [Link]

    [4] Fang, R.H., Lin, J.T. & Ma S. (1994). Phalloplasty for female transsexuals with sensate free forearm flap. Microsurgery 15: 349–52. [Link]

  • The chances of developing osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems increase with feminizing hormones. Expand
    The chances of developing osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems increase with feminizing hormones.

    A 2012 paper [1] found that a quarter of the male-to-female transsexuals it studied had osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and radius.

    In the same study, 6% of male-to-female transsexuals experienced a thromboembolic event (a blood clot causing obstruction), and another 6% experienced other cardiovascular problems. These effects were observed after only 11.3 years of hormone treatment on average.

    A further study [2] found that long-term bone mineral density decreases in transwomen who take cross-sex hormones in the long term.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Wierckx, K., Mueller, S., Weyers, S., Van Caenegem, E., Roef, G., Heylens, G. & T’Sjoen, G. (2012). Long-Term Evaluation of Cross-Sex Hormone Treatment in Transsexual Persons. The Journal of Sexual Medicine 9 (10): 2641-2651. [Link]

    [2] Delgado-Ruiz, R., Swanson, P., & Romanos, G. (2019). Systematic Review of the Long-Term Effects of Transgender Hormone Therapy on Bone Markers and Bone Mineral Density and Their Potential Effects in Implant Therapy. Journal of clinical medicine 8 (6): 784. [Link]

  • Puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones negatively impact bone health in a significant number of cases. Expand
    Puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones negatively impact bone health in a significant number of cases.

    There is little long-term evidence on bone mass density in relation to puberty blockers. However, in a significant minority of cases of long-term puberty suppression related to gender identity, bone mass density scores qualify as “low for age” [1]. Low bone mass density increases risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

    Adolescents who enter puberty at an older age have persistently lower bone mass density than their peers [2]: in one case study [3], an adolescent had a bone mass density -2 standard deviations below the mean after three years of blocking puberty.

    It has also been noted [4] that:

    In early-pubertal transgender youth, BMD [bone mass density] was lower than reference standards for sex designated at birth. This lower BMD may be explained, in part, by suboptimal calcium intake and decreased physical activity–potential targets for intervention.

    Bone metabolism is also decreased as a result of taking cross-sex hormones, for both males and (in later life) females [5].

    REFERENCES

    [1] Biggs, M. (2021). Revisiting the effect of GnRH analogue treatment on bone mineral density in young adolescents with gender dysphoria. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism 34 (7): 937-939. [Link]

    [2] Elhakeem, A., Frysz, M., Tilling, K., Tobias, J.H. & Lawlor, D.A. (2019). Association Between Age at Puberty and Bone Accrual From 10 to 25 Years of Age. JAMA Netw Open; 2(8). [Link]

    [3] Pang, K.C., Notini, L., McDougall, R., Gillam, L., Savulescu, J., Wilkinson, D., Clark, B.A., Olson-Kennedy, J., Telfer, M.M. & Lantos, J.D. (2020). Long-term Puberty Suppression for a Nonbinary Teenager. Pediatrics 145 (2). [Link]

    [4] Lee, J. Y., Finlayson, C., Olson-Kennedy, J., Garofalo, R., Chan, Y. M., Glidden, D. V., & Rosenthal, S. M. (2020). Low Bone Mineral Density in Early Pubertal Transgender/Gender Diverse Youth: Findings From the Trans Youth Care Study. Journal of the Endocrine Society 4 (9). [Link]

    [5] Vlot, M.C., Wiepjes, C.M., de Jongh, R.T., T’Sjoen, G., Heijboer, A.C. & den Heijer, M. (2019). Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment Decreases Bone Turnover in Transwomen and Older Transmen. J Bone Miner Res, 34: 1862-1872. [Link]

  • One study found that puberty blockers did not alleviate negative thoughts in children with gender dysphoria. Expand
    One study found that puberty blockers did not alleviate negative thoughts in children with gender dysphoria.

    A British study [1] found that puberty blockers used to treat children aged 12 to 15 who have severe and persistent gender dysphoria had no significant effect on their psychological function, thoughts of self-harm, or body image.

    However, as expected, the children experienced reduced growth in height and bone strength by the time they finished their treatment at age 16.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Carmichael, P., Butler, G., Masic, U., Cole, T. J., De Stavola, B. L., Davidson, S., Skageberg, E. M., Khadr, S., & Viner, R. M. (2021). Short-term outcomes of pubertal suppression in a selected cohort of 12 to 15 year old young people with persistent gender dysphoria in the UK. PLOS ONE 16 (2). [Link]

  • Medical transition puts both males and females at risk of infertility. Expand
    Medical transition puts both males and females at risk of infertility.

    A wide-ranging study [1] found that gender-related drug regimens place patients at risk of infertility:

    Suppression of puberty with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogs (GnRHa) in the pediatric transgender patient can pause the maturation of germ cells, and thus, affect fertility potential. Testosterone therapy in transgender men can suppress ovulation and alter ovarian histology, while estrogen therapy in transgender women can lead to impaired spermatogenesis and testicular atrophy. The effect of hormone therapy on fertility is potentially reversible, but the extent is unclear.

    On surgeries, the study noted that cross-sex surgery that includes hysterectomy and oophorectomy in transmen or orchiectomy in transwomen results in permanent sterility.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Cheng, P.J., Pastuszak, A.W., Myers, J.B., Goodwin, I.A. & Hotaling, J.M. (2019). Fertility concerns of the transgender patient. Transl Androl Urol. 8 (3): 209-218. [Link]

  • Long-term testosterone use in natal females can cause vaginal atrophy, which makes sex painful. Expand
    Long-term testosterone use in natal females can cause vaginal atrophy, which makes sex painful.

    A study [1] of 16 female-to-male transgender individuals concluded that long-term testosterone administration leads to vaginal atrophy (Baldassarre et al., 2013). The study noted that:

    Vaginal samples from FtM showed a loss of normal architecture of the epithelium, intermediate and superficial layers were completely lost, and glycogen content was depleted.

    Vaginal atrophy, characterized by thinning of vaginal walls and poor lubrication of vaginal tissues, leads to tearing, micro abrasions, bleeding, and painful intercourse.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Baldassarre, M., Giannone, F., Foschini, M., Battaglia, C., Busacchi, P., Venturoli, S., & Meriggiola, M. (2013). Effects of long-term high dose testosterone administration on vaginal epithelium structure and estrogen receptor-α and -β expression of young women. International Journal Of Impotence Research, 25 (5): 172-177. [Link]

  • In one study, 11% of transmen who took testosterone developed a condition called erythrocytosis, which impacts red blood cells and slows the blood flow. Expand
    In one study, 11% of transmen who took testosterone developed a condition called erythrocytosis, which impacts red blood cells and slows the blood flow.

    A study [1] of 776 transmen who took testosterone demonstrated that 11% of them developed erythrocytosis, a condition which slows the blood flow, and can lead to headaches, confusion, high blood pressure, nosebleeds, blurred vision, itching and fatigue.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Madsen, M.C., van Dijk, D. Wiepjes, C.M., Conemans, E.B., Thijs, A. & den Heijer, M. (2021). Erythrocytosis in a Large Cohort of Trans Men Using Testosterone: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study on Prevalence, Determinants, and Exposure Years. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 106 (6): 1710–1717. [Link]

  • Genital surgeries tend to reduce the capacity for orgasm in males, and may do so in females. Expand
    Genital surgeries tend to reduce the capacity for orgasm in males, and may do so in females.

    One study showed that around 30% of male-to-female genital surgeries result in the inability to orgasm [1].

    Figures on female-to-male transitioners are less clear. However, a clinical follow-up study [2] of 38 transmen – 29 of whom had received phalloplasty, and 9 metoidioplasty – found that reported loss of orgasmic capacity was more marginally common than reported gain of orgasmic capacity.

    The negative intrapsychic and interpersonal consequences of anorgasmia (the inability to climax) is well-documented, and applies equally to transgender individuals [3].

    REFERENCES

    [1] Manrique, O., Adabi, K., Martinez-Jorge, J., Ciudad, P., Nicoli, F. and Kiranantawat, K. (2018). Complications and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Male-to-Female Vaginoplasty—Where We Are Today. Annals of Plastic Surgery 80 (6): 684-691. [Link]

    [2] van de Grift, T., Pigot, G., Kreukels, B., Bouman, M., & Mullender, M. (2019). Transmen’s Experienced Sexuality and Genital Gender-Affirming Surgery: Findings From a Clinical Follow-Up Study. Journal Of Sex & Marital Therapy 45 (3): 201-205. [Link]

    [3] Levine, S. (2018). Informed Consent for Transgendered Patients. Journal Of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45(3), 218-229. [Link]

  • Feminizing hormones reduce sexual function in males. Expand
    Feminizing hormones reduce sexual function in males.

    Feminizing hormonal treatments lead to a lessening drive, erectile dysfunction, and shrinking of testes and penis [1], significantly compromising sexual function.

    A Belgian doctoral thesis study [2] found that 69.7% of transwomen reported a decrease in sexual desire — while the opposite effect is found in transmen.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Levine, S. (2018). Informed Consent for Transgendered Patients. Journal Of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45(3), 218-229. [Link]

    [2] Elaut, E. (2014). Biopsychosocial factors in the sexual desire of contraception‐using couples and trans persons. Doctoral thesis, University of Ghent. [Link]

  • Vaginoplasty can result in fistula, stenosis, necrosis, prolapse and even death. Expand
    Vaginoplasty can result in fistula, stenosis, necrosis, prolapse and even death.

    Male-to-female genital surgery (vaginoplasty) is associated with significant long-term complications: there is a 2% risk of fistula, 14% risk of stenosis (abnormal narrowing), 1% risk of necrosis (tissue death) and 4% risk of prolapse [1].

    One systematic review [2] found an overall complication rate of 32.5%.

    A Dutch study [3] of 55 (out of an original 70) adolescents treated with puberty blockers, cross sex hormones, and genital surgery, showed that among 22 male-to-female patients who underwent vaginoplasty, one adolescent died as a result of necrotizing fasciitis after the surgery.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Manrique, O., Adabi, K., Martinez-Jorge, J., Ciudad, P., Nicoli, F. and Kiranantawat, K. (2018). Complications and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Male-to-Female Vaginoplasty—Where We Are Today. Annals of Plastic Surgery 80 (6): 684-691. [Link]

    [2] Dreher, P.C., Edwards, D., Hager, S., Dennis, M., Belkoff, A., Mora, J., Tarry, S. & Rumer, K.L. (2018). Complications of the neovagina in male-to-female transgender surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis with discussion of management. Clin Anat. 31 (2):191-199. [Link]

    [3] de Vries, A., McGuire, T., Steensma, E., Wagenaar, T., Doreleijers, P. & Cohen-Kettenis, P. (2014). Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment. [Link]

  • Around 1 in 5 vaginoplasty surgeries lead to corrective surgery. Expand
    Around 1 in 5 vaginoplasty surgeries lead to corrective surgery.

    A systematic review [1] of neo-vagina surgeries found a re-operation rate of 21.7% for non-esthetic reasons.

    A Brazilian paper [2] found a somewhat lower, but similar, reoperation rate of 16.8%.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Dreher, P.C., Edwards, D., Hager, S., Dennis, M., Belkoff, A., Mora, J., Tarry, S. & Rumer, K.L. (2018). Complications of the neovagina in male-to-female transgender surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis with discussion of management. Clin Anat. 31 (2):191-199. [Link]

    [2] Moisés da Silva, G.V., Lobato, M.I.R., Silva, D.C., Schwarz, K., Fontanari, A.M.V., Costa, A.B., Tavares, P.M., Gorgen, A.R.H., Cabral, R.D. & Rosito, T.E. (2021). Male-to-Female Gender-Affirming Surgery: 20-Year Review of Technique and Surgical Results. Frontiers in Surgery 8. [Link]

  • There is evidence that up to a quarter of transgender genital surgeries result in incontinence. Expand
    There is evidence that up to a quarter of transgender genital surgeries result in incontinence.

    A systematic literature review [1] found that 21% of male-to-female patients and 25% of female-to-male patients suffered from incontinence as a result of transgender genital surgery.

    One recent study [2] estimates the number of post-operative transsexuals suffering stress incontinence to be 23%. This study was not a literature review, and almost all of the participants were male-to-female.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Nassiri, N., Maas, M., Basin, M., Cacciamani, G.E. & Doumanian, L.R. (2020). Urethral complications after gender reassignment surgery: a systematic review. Int J Impot Res. [Link]

    [2] Kuhn, A., Santi, A. & Birkhäuser, M. (2011). Vaginal prolapse, pelvic floor function, and related symptoms 16 years after sex reassignment surgery in transsexuals. Fertil Steril. 95: 2379-82. [Link]

  • Medical transition reduces dating pool size and likelihood of marriage. Expand
    Medical transition reduces dating pool size and likelihood of marriage.

    Individuals undergoing biomedical interventions to address their gender dysphoria are at risk for having a greatly diminished pool of individuals who are willing to sustain an intimate physical and loving relationship [1].

    This is evidenced in the much lower marriage rates of transgender adults [2].

    REFERENCES

    [1] Levine, S. (2018). Informed Consent for Transgendered Patients. Journal Of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45(3), 218-229. [Link]

    [2] Yarbrough, E. (2018). Transgender mental health. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing. [Link]

  • There is evidence that it is harder to sustain meaningful sexual relationships after medical transition. Expand
    There is evidence that it is harder to sustain meaningful sexual relationships after medical transition.

    A study [1] on informed consent found that male-to-female transitioners who are attracted to men may discover that men who are sexually interested in them are specifically interested in their trans status, and have no interest in serious long-term relationships. 

    The same study noted that male-to-female transitioners who are attracted to women may find that lesbians are unwilling to engage in a sexual relationship with a male.

    Because most female-to-male transitioners do not undergo phalloplasty, their ability to attract desirable sexual partners, and sustain relationships with them, could be compromised.

    Only a single case [2] of a female-to-male transitioner treated with puberty blockers followed by cross-sex hormones and surgeries has feen followed long-term.

    The individual, who was in his thirties during the follow up, reported an inability to have a satisfying sexual life due to “shame about his genital appearance and his feelings of inadequacy in sexual matters”. The researchers concluded, that despite the gender reassignment, “in the area of intimate relationships, it may remain difficult to find a suitable partner”.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Levine, S. (2018). Informed Consent for Transgendered Patients. Journal Of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45(3), 218-229. [Link]

    [2] Cohen-Kettenis, P., Schagen, S., Steensma, T., de Vries, A., & Delemarre-van de Waal, H. (2011). Puberty Suppression in a Gender-Dysphoric Adolescent: A 22-Year Follow-Up. Archives Of Sexual Behavior 40 (4): 843-847. [Link]

  • Transmen are four or five times more likely than females in general to suffer a heart attack. Expand
    Transmen are four or five times more likely than females in general to suffer a heart attack.

    A 2019 study [1] found that post-operative female-to-male transgender people were 4.9 times as likely to suffer a myocardial infarction (heart attack) than women in general.

    Another study [2] also found a somewhat smaller yet still large discrepancy, concluding that transmen were 3.69 more likely to suffer a heart attack than women in general.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Alzahrani, T. Nguyen, T., Ryan, A., Dwairy, A. McCaffrey, J., Yunus, R., Forgione, J., Krepp, J., Nagy, C., Mazhari, R. & Reiner, J. (2019). Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Myocardial Infarction in the Transgender Population. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 12 (4). [Link]

    [2] Nota, N.M., Wiepjes, C.M., de Blok, C.J.M., Gooren, L.J.G., Kreukels, B.P.D. & den Heijer, M. (2019). Occurrence of Acute Cardiovascular Events in Transgender Individuals Receiving Hormone Therapy: Results From a Large Cohort Study. Circulation 139: 1461-1462. [Link]

  • In one study of detransitioners, around half were worried about the medical complications of transitioning. Expand
    In one study of detransitioners, around half were worried about the medical complications of transitioning.

    A study [1] of 100 detransitioners showed that 49% had concerns about potential medical complications from transitioning. 

    A second study [2] of detransitioners and desisters – most of whom were detransitioners who had undergone medical transition – arrived at a higher figure, with 62% citing health concerns as a motivating factor for detransition.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Littman, L. (2021). Individuals Treated for Gender Dysphoria with Medical and/or Surgical Transition Who Subsequently Detransitioned: A Survey of 100 Detransitioners. Arch Sex Behav. [Link]

    [2] Vandenbussche, E. (2021). Detransition-Related Needs and Support: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey. Journal of Homosexuality. [Link]

  • In one study of detransitioners, around half believed that they received inadequate care. Expand
    In one study of detransitioners, around half believed that they received inadequate care.

    The majority (55.0%) of detransitioners in a 100-participant study [1] felt that they did not receive an adequate evaluation from a doctor or mental health professional before starting transition.

    A second study [2] of detransitioners and desisters – most of whom were detransitioners who had undergone medical transition – arrived at a similar, although slightly lower, figure, with 45% of detransitioners not feeling properly informed about the health implications of the accessed treatments and interventions before undergoing them.

    REFERENCES

    [1] Littman, L. (2021). Individuals Treated for Gender Dysphoria with Medical and/or Surgical Transition Who Subsequently Detransitioned: A Survey of 100 Detransitioners. Arch Sex Behav. [Link]

    [2] Vandenbussche, E. (2021). Detransition-Related Needs and Support: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey. Journal of Homosexuality. [Link]

  • Strength advantage over females is retained by male-to-female transitioners (transwomen). Expand
    Strength advantage over females is retained by male-to-female transitioners (transwomen).

    A systematic review of 24 studies concluded that while male-female transitioners (transwomen) do experience some decrease in muscle mass; values for strength and muscle area in transwomen remain above those of biological women, even after 36 months of hormone therapy. [1,2].

    Figure one [1] :

    The above graph show’s the performance difference between transwomen and biological women in various sports.

    A systematic review of 24 studies concluded that while male-female transitioners (trans women) do experience a decrease in muscle mass; values for strength and muscle area in transwomen remain above those of biological women, even after 36 months of hormone therapy. [2]

    REFERENCES

    [1] Hilton, E. N. & Lundberg, T.R. (2021). Transgender Women in the Female Category of Sport: Perspectives on Testosterone Suppression and Performance Advantage. Sports Med 51: 199–214. [Link]

    [2] Harper J, O’Donnell E, Sorouri Khorashad B, et al . (2021). How does hormone transition in transgender women change body composition, muscle strength and haemoglobin? Systematic review with a focus on the implications for sport participation. British Journal of Sports Medicine ;55:865-872. [Link]

  • One year of cross sex hormone therapy causes robust increases in muscle mass and strength in transmen (females) but modest changes in transwomen (males). Expand
    One year of cross sex hormone therapy causes robust increases in muscle mass and strength in transmen (females) but modest changes in transwomen (males).

    Thigh muscle volume increased 15% in transmen, which was paralleled by increased quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) (15%) and radiological density 6%. In transwomen, the corresponding parameters decreased by –5% (muscle volume) and –4% (CSA), while density remained unaltered. The transmen increased strength over the assessment period, while the transwomen generally maintained their strength levels [1]:

    REFERENCES

    [1] Wiik, A., Lundberg, T. R., Rullman, E., Andersson, D. P., Holmberg, et al. (2019). Muscle strength, size, and composition following 12 months of gender-affirming treatment in transgender individuals. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 105(3). [Link]

  • Long term testosterone use potentially compromises fertility and negatively affects ovarian follicle health
    Long term testosterone use potentially compromises fertility and negatively affects ovarian follicle health.

    One study in 2023 found that long-term testosterone exposure, as seen in transgender men undergoing gender-affirming therapy, could potentially compromise fertility by negatively affecting ovarian follicle growth, health, and DNA integrity.

    In 2023, a study by Bailie et al. [1] explored the effects of long-term testosterone exposure on ovarian follicles in transgender men receiving gender-affirming endocrine therapy. The research indicated that testosterone was linked with decreased follicle growth activation, poor follicle health, and increased DNA damage, suggesting possible impacts on fertility. Further, these negative effects were intensified following six days of in vitro culture. These findings may have crucial implications for reproductive health and fertility considerations among transgender men receiving testosterone as part of their gender-affirming therapy.

    REFERENCES

    Bailie, E., Maidarti, M., Hawthorn, R., Jack, S., Watson, N., Telfer, E. E., & Anderson, R. A. (2023). The ovaries of transgender men indicate effects of high dose testosterone on the primordial and early growing follicle pool. Reproduction and Fertility, 4(2). [Link]

  • Evidence suggests that treatments used to feminize transgender women result in altered brain structures.
    Evidence suggests that treatments used to feminize transgender women result in altered brain structures.

    One study showed that estradiol valerate and cyproterone acetate, treatments used to feminize adult male rats mirroring those in transgender women, resulted in altered brain structure, including reduced volume and elevated specific metabolites. 

    In a 2020 study [1], Goémez et al. used a rat model to investigate the effects of feminizing hormonal treatments, specifically estradiol valerate and cyproterone acetate, akin to those given to transgender women. They monitored changes over 30 days using structural MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging. The researchers found that these treatments led to a generalized bilateral decrease in cortical volume. Additionally, they noted increases in the relative concentration of brain metabolites, including glutamate and glutamine. The study concludes that these hormonal treatments induce significant changes in brain structure and metabolite concentration. 

    REFERENCES

    [1] Gómez, Á., Cerdán, S., Pérez-Laso, C., Ortega, E., Pásaro, E., Fernández, R., … & Guillamon, A. (2020). Effects of adult male rat feminization treatments on brain morphology and metabolomic profile. Hormones and behavior, 125, 104839. [Link]