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Lee Cruz AS, Cruz J, Behbehani S, Nahas S, Handler S, Stuparich MA. Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy for Transgender Patients: Preoperative and Intraoperative Considerations. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2024; 31:265-266. [PMID: 38145751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the preoperative and intraoperative considerations for gynecologic surgeons when performing hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy for transgender patients. DESIGN Stepwise demonstration of techniques with narrated video footage. SETTING Approximately 0.3% of hysterectomies performed annually in the United States are for transgender men. While some transgender men choose hysterectomy for the same indications as cisgender women, the most prevalent diagnosis for the performed surgeries is gender dysphoria [1]. Hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy can be offered to patients who meet the World Professional Association for Transgender Health criteria [2]. INTERVENTIONS Important perioperative counseling points for transgender patients include establishing the terminology for the relevant anatomy as well as the patient's name and pronouns; if applicable, discussing options for fertility preservation if the patient desires biological children [3,4] and discussing the use of hormone therapy post oophorectomy to reduce the loss of bone density [5,6]; and reviewing intraoperative and postoperative expectations. When performing an oophorectomy on a transgender patient for gender affirmation, it is especially important to minimize the risk of ovarian remnant syndrome and the need for additional surgery, as, for example, caused by persistent menstruation. A 2-layer vaginal cuff closure should be considered to reduce the risk of vaginal cuff complications and is preferable for patients whose pelvic organs cause gender dysphoria [7,8]. CONCLUSION Special considerations outlined in this video and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health guidelines should be reviewed by gynecologic surgeons to minimize the transgender patient's experiences of gender dysphoria before, during, and after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda S Lee Cruz
- University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, California (Mx. Lee Cruz).
| | - Janet Cruz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Riverside, California (Drs. Cruz, Behbehani, Nahas, Handler and Stuparich)
| | - Sadikah Behbehani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Riverside, California (Drs. Cruz, Behbehani, Nahas, Handler and Stuparich)
| | - Samar Nahas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Riverside, California (Drs. Cruz, Behbehani, Nahas, Handler and Stuparich)
| | - Stephanie Handler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Riverside, California (Drs. Cruz, Behbehani, Nahas, Handler and Stuparich)
| | - Mallory A Stuparich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Riverside, California (Drs. Cruz, Behbehani, Nahas, Handler and Stuparich)
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O'Connor RM, Scott ME, Rimel BJ. Vaginal Cuff Dehiscence in Transgender Patients After Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2024; 31:138-146. [PMID: 37925016 PMCID: PMC11129707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2023.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare rates of vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) in transgender patients with cisgender patients after minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH). DESIGN We performed a single-surgeon, retrospective cohort analysis comparing the rates of VCD in patients undergoing MIH for gender affirmation with other indications (benign, malignant, prophylactic) with our study surgeon between January, 2015, and December, 2021. SETTING Major, urban, academic tertiary care hospital in the United States. PATIENTS 166 patients met inclusion criteria with 49 of those patients undergoing MIH (29.5%) for gender affirmation. Of the remaining 117 patients, 92 (78.6%) underwent MIH for cancer, 15 (12.8%) for prophylaxis, and 10 (8.5%) for benign indications. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS We assessed included patients for baseline demographics, presence of risk factors for VCD, details of index hysterectomy, and details of cuff dehiscence events. MAIN RESULTS Transgender patients tended to be younger at the time of surgery, but demographics were otherwise similar between both groups. Most transgender patients (n = 36, 73.5%) had both ovaries removed at the time of hysterectomy, 100% were on testosterone therapy pre- and postoperatively, and none used supplementary estrogen. Three of the 49 transgender patients (6.1%) experienced postoperative dehiscence of the vaginal cuff compared with 2 of the 117 cisgender patients (1.7%). This failed to reach statistical significance; however, our descriptive analysis showed that all cases of dehiscence in the cisgender group had identifiable precipitating factors (i.e., trauma). By comparison, all cases of dehiscence in the transgender group were spontaneous with few identifiable risk factors. CONCLUSION Transgender patients undergoing MIH may be at increased risk of VCD, although the rarity of this surgical complication precluded determination of statistical significance in our data set. We propose testosterone exposure as a possible risk factor for VCD, although we cannot exclude other factors, such as young age, as drivers of VCD in this population. Future studies of biospecimens are needed to evaluate for cellular differences in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed M O'Connor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Dr. O'Connor), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Marla E Scott
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology (Drs. Scott and Rimel)
| | - B J Rimel
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology (Drs. Scott and Rimel).
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Colman DE, Beltran TG, Weber JM, Erkanli A, Robinson WR, Myers ER, Gray BA. Patient and Surgery Characteristics of Inpatient Hysterectomies Among Transgender Individuals. LGBT Health 2023; 10:544-551. [PMID: 37252769 PMCID: PMC10574525 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2022.0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate population-based rates of inpatient hysterectomy and accompanying bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy by indication and evaluate surgical patient characteristics by indication, year, patient age, and hospital location. Methods: We used 2016 and 2017 cross-sectional data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to estimate the hysterectomy rate for individuals aged 18-54 years with a primary indication for gender-affirming care (GAC) compared to other indications. Outcome measures were population-based rates for inpatient hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy by indication. Results: The population-based rate of inpatient hysterectomy for GAC per 100,000 was 0.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02-0.09) in 2016 and 0.09 (95% CI = 0.03-0.15) in 2017. For comparison, the rates per 100,000 for fibroids were 85.76 in 2016 and 73.25 in 2017. Rates of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in the setting of hysterectomy were higher in the GAC group (86.4%) than in comparison groups (22.7%-44.1% for all other benign indications, 77.4% for cancer) across all age ranges. A higher rate of hysterectomies performed for GAC was done laparoscopically or robotically (63.6%) than other indications, and none was done vaginally, as opposed to comparison groups (0.7%-9.8%). Conclusion: The population-based rate for GAC was higher in 2017 compared to 2016 and low compared to other hysterectomy indications. Rates of concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were more prevalent for GAC than for other indications at similar ages. The patients in the GAC group tended to be younger, insured, and most procedures occurred in the Northeast (45.5%) and West (36.4%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E. Colman
- Department of Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Los Angeles County+University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Theo G. Beltran
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Weber
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alaattin Erkanli
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Whitney R. Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Evan R. Myers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Beverly A. Gray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Creating Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Guidelines for Transgender Patients With BRCA Mutations. Obstet Gynecol 2021; 138:911-917. [PMID: 34735408 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000004597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
More than 1.5 million individuals in the United States identify as transgender. Transgender individuals have lower rates of health care utilization and higher rates of health care discrimination than cisgender patients. With a growing interest in providing comprehensive and compassionate care to the transgender community, there has been a concurrent increase in research on transgender health. However, lack of long-term data limits understanding the effects of hormone therapy on cancer risk factors in this population. This is particularly relevant for patients with hormonally mediated cancers and those at elevated risk from hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes. Few cancer-screening and management guidelines currently exist for this population. Specific practices guided by the nuances of gender identity and gender-affirming care are essential to improve clinical management and to avoid further alienating a population that is already marginalized from the health care system. This commentary summarizes screening, management, and surveillance strategies devised for cisgender patients to offer corresponding recommendations tailored for transgender BRCA mutation carriers. In doing so, it highlights critical unanswered questions pertaining to the care of these patients. To address these questions, we must prioritize this population and adopt more inclusive frameworks in medicine and research.
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Grimstad F, Boskey ER, Taghinia A, Ganor O. Gender-Affirming Surgeries in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescent and Young Adults: A Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Primer. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2021; 34:442-448. [PMID: 33852937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgender and gender diverse adolescent and young adults (AYA) may seek gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) as part of their gender affirmation. A number of GAS are related to reproductive and sexual health, and pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) clinicians are well positioned as sexual and reproductive health experts to provide care in this area. PAG clinicians may encounter patients presenting for preoperative counseling (including discussions regarding fertility, family building, future sexual function, and choice of oophorectomy at time of hysterectomy), requesting referrals to GAS clinicians, or requiring GAS aftercare, or those seeking general sexual and reproductive health care who have a history of GAS. This article reviews presurgical considerations for AYA seeking GAS, types of GAS, their impact on pelvic, sexual, and reproductive health, and aftercare that may involve PAG providers, with the goal of helping PAG clinicians to better understand these procedures and to empower them to engage collaboratively with GAS teams. With this knowledge, reproductive health clinicians can have an integral role as skilled collaborators in the world of AYA GAS in partnership with GAS surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Grimstad
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Gender Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Elizabeth R Boskey
- Center for Gender Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amir Taghinia
- Center for Gender Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Oren Ganor
- Center for Gender Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts
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6
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El-Arabi AM, Barrera EP, McLaren HE, Gray M, Grimstad FW. Masculinizing Gender Affirming Surgery. J Gynecol Surg 2021. [DOI: 10.1089/gyn.2021.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad M. El-Arabi
- Department of Urology, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Ellis P. Barrera
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hillary E. McLaren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Meredith Gray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Frances W. Grimstad
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Clinical Characteristics and Histologic Features of Hysterectomy Specimens From Transmasculine Individuals. Obstet Gynecol 2021; 138:51-57. [PMID: 34259463 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000004421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical characteristics of transmasculine individuals who underwent hysterectomy and characterize surgical pathology findings. METHODS Under an institutional review board-approved protocol, transmasculine individuals who were undergoing hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were retrospectively identified from a single institution. Past medical, surgical, obstetric, and gynecologic history were collected, including prior testosterone use, cervical cancer screening status, and preoperative pelvic imaging. Surgical pathologic findings of the endometrium, ovaries, and cervix were collected. RESULTS A total of 72 individuals were included. The median age was 30 years (range 19-51). The majority of patients had private insurance (n=53, 74%) and were on testosterone at time of the preoperative visit (n=63, 88%). Forty-two patients (58%) reported anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, and 34 patients (47%) were taking an antidepressant or mood stabilizer. Of the 68 patients eligible for cervical cancer screening, 33 (49%) were up to date before their surgical consultation visits. Pelvic pain was the leading indication for surgery (n=65, 90%), and 29 patients (40%) had multiple listed indications for surgery. Surgical pathology results included cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2-3 in three patients (4%), endometrial or cervical atrophy in 13 patients (18%), and ovarian or paratubal cysts in 16 patients (22%). CONCLUSION This study describes the distinct clinical characteristics and surgical pathology findings that health care professionals should consider when caring for this unique patient population, including a relatively high rate of mental health conditions, pelvic pain as the leading indication for surgery, and the presence of endometrial or cervical atrophy and ovarian or paratubal cysts on surgical pathology.
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Abstract
When working with LGBTQ+ patients who want to build families, primary care providers play a key role in increasing access to reproductive health care. There is growing demand for assisted reproductive services among LGBTQ+ individuals who do not already have their own children or do not wish to adopt. Fertility-preservation options are available for transgender patients; however, many of these treatments are inaccessible to patients because of lack of insurance coverage and high cost. Legal options for LGBTQ+ patients' reproduction vary by state. Knowledge of the laws and regulations in your own state of practice is necessary to manage expectations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa N Montoya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, 201 Trent Drive, 203 Baker House, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Benjamin J Peipert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, 201 Trent Drive, 203 Baker House, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dane Whicker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2213 Elba Street, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Beverly Gray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, 201 Trent Drive, 203 Baker House, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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9
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"Single center experience of laparoscopic hysteroannessiectomy and histopathological outcomes in transgender men". Int J Impot Res 2021; 33:733-736. [PMID: 33495585 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-021-00408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This article presents a retrospective descriptive analysis about female-to-male (FtM) gender-affirmation nongenital surgical procedures involving the gynecological team at the CIDIGeM (Centro Interdipartimentale Disturbi di Identità di Genere Molinette) Center in Turin. From 2004 to 2019, seventy FtM transsexual patients underwent hysteroannessiectomy: the chosen surgical technique involved a Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy. The patients presented a median age of 30.5 years (range 21-53). No patients presented intraoperative complications, the median of surgery time was 80 min (range 40-150) and the hospital stay median was 5 days (range: 2-25). Histopathological examinations were negative for cancer in all patients except for one unknown case of grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy is confirmed to be the method of choice in the group of FtM transsexuals: this approach has several advantages over abdominal hysterectomy, including more rapid recovery, fewer wound or abdominal wall infections; moreover, it has enabled us to preserve the vital structures needed for reconstruction of external genitalia. Cancer risk is still considered an area of priority in transgender research; thus, we underline the importance of performing a histopathological examination of the surgical specimen.
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10
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Haupt C, Henke M, Kutschmar A, Hauser B, Baldinger S, Saenz SR, Schreiber G. Antiandrogen or estradiol treatment or both during hormone therapy in transitioning transgender women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 11:CD013138. [PMID: 33251587 PMCID: PMC8078580 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013138.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gender dysphoria is described as a mismatch between an individual's experienced or expressed gender and their assigned gender, based on primary or secondary sexual characteristics. Gender dysphoria can be associated with clinically significant psychological distress and may result in a desire to change sexual characteristics. The process of adapting a person's sexual characteristics to their desired sex is called 'transition.' Current guidelines suggest hormonal and, if needed, surgical intervention to aid transition in transgender women, i.e. persons who aim to transition from male to female. In adults, hormone therapy aims to reverse the body's male attributes and to support the development of female attributes. It usually includes estradiol, antiandrogens, or a combination of both. Many individuals first receive hormone therapy alone, without surgical interventions. However, this is not always sufficient to change such attributes as facial bone structure, breasts, and genitalia, as desired. For these transgender women, surgery may then be used to support transition. OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of hormone therapy with antiandrogens, estradiol, or both, compared to each other or placebo, in transgender women in transition. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, Biosis Preview, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEX. We carried out our final searches on 19 December 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA We aimed to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and cohort studies that enrolled transgender women, age 16 years and over, in transition from male to female. Eligible studies investigated antiandrogen and estradiol hormone therapies alone or in combination, in comparison to another form of the active intervention, or placebo control. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane to establish study eligibility. MAIN RESULTS Our database searches identified 1057 references, and after removing duplicates we screened 787 of these. We checked 13 studies for eligibility at the full text screening stage. We excluded 12 studies and identified one as an ongoing study. We did not identify any completed studies that met our inclusion criteria. The single ongoing study is an RCT conducted in Thailand, comparing estradiol valerate plus cyproterone treatment with estradiol valerate plus spironolactone treatment. The primary outcome will be testosterone level at three month follow-up. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy or safety of hormonal treatment approaches for transgender women in transition. This lack of studies shows a gap between current clinical practice and clinical research. Robust RCTs and controlled cohort studies are needed to assess the benefits and harms of hormone therapy (used alone or in combination) for transgender women in transition. Studies should specifically focus on short-, medium-, and long-term adverse effects, quality of life, and participant satisfaction with the change in male to female body characteristics of antiandrogen and estradiol therapy alone, and in combination. They should also focus on the relative effects of these hormones when administered orally, transdermally, and intramuscularly. We will include non-controlled cohort studies in the next iteration of this review, as our review has shown that such studies provide the highest quality evidence currently available in the field. We will take into account methodological limitations when doing so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Haupt
- Medical Service for Transgenders Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Henke
- Independent Transgender Consultant, Rothenburg, Germany
| | | | - Birgit Hauser
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics, HRT Transgender Center Medical Practice, Hohenstein, Germany
| | | | | | - Gerhard Schreiber
- Institute for Theology and Social Ethics, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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Shim JY, Laufer MR, Grimstad FW. Dysmenorrhea and Endometriosis in Transgender Adolescents. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2020; 33:524-528. [PMID: 32535219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To study the presentation of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis in transmasculine adolescents and review their treatment outcomes. DESIGN A retrospective review. SETTING Boston Children's Hospital. PARTICIPANTS Transmasculine persons younger than 26 years old who were diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and treated between January 1, 2000 and March 1, 2020. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES An electronic medical record review of the clinical characteristics, transition-related care, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS Dysmenorrhea was diagnosed in 35 transmasculine persons. Mean age was 14.9 years ± 1.9 years. Twenty-nine (82.9%) were diagnosed after social transition. Twenty-three of 35 (65.7%) were first treated with combined oral contraceptives, but 14/23 (61%) discontinued or transitioned to alternative therapy. Twelve patients with dysmenorrhea alone initiated testosterone treatment, and 4/12 (33.3%) experienced persistent symptoms. Seven of 35 patients with dysmenorrhea (20.0%) were laparoscopically evaluated for endometriosis, and it was confirmed in all seven. Six had stage I disease, and one had stage II. Three of the 7 (42.9%) were diagnosed after social transition, with one diagnosed 20 months after initiating testosterone treatment. Their endometriosis was treated with combined oral contraceptives, danazol, or progestins; four experienced suboptimal response during treatment with these therapies alone. Two of those with suboptimal response subsequently resolved their dysmenorrhea when using testosterone. Five patients with endometriosis initiated testosterone treatment, and of the 5 (40%) experienced persistent symptomatology with combined testosterone and progestin therapies. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize endometriosis in transmasculine persons. Evaluation for endometriosis was underutilized in transmasculine persons with dysmenorrhea, despite those who underwent laparoscopic evaluation and had disease confirmation. Although testosterone treatment can resolve symptoms in some, others might require additional suppression. Endometriosis should be considered in transmasculine persons with symptoms even when they are using testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Y Shim
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Marc R Laufer
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Boston Center for Endometriosis, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Frances W Grimstad
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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12
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Grimstad FW, Fowler KG, New EP, Ferrando CA, Pollard RR, Chapman G, Gray M, Gomez Lobo V. Ovarian Histopathology in Transmasculine Persons on Testosterone: A Multicenter Case Series. J Sex Med 2020; 17:1807-1818. [PMID: 32703706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As transmasculine persons utilize androgen gender affirming hormone therapy as a part of transition, guidance has been lacking on the effects of the therapy on the ovaries, especially for those who may desire retention. AIM To describe the ovarian histopathology of transmasculine persons on testosterone therapy following oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy performed for gender affirmation. METHODS This was a multicenter case series study of transmasculine patients on testosterone therapy who underwent hysterectomy with oophorectomy for gender affirmation between January 2015 and December 2017 at 5 tertiary care referral centers. Patients were identified by their current procedural and International Classification of Diseases codes. OUTCOMES Pre-, perioperative, and pathologic data were obtained from the electronic medical records and ovarian tissue descriptions from pathology reports were grouped into the following classifications: (i) simple/follicular cysts; (ii) polycystic ovaries; (iii) complex cysts; (iv) endometriomas; (v) other masses; (vi) atrophy; and (vii) normal. RESULTS 85 patients were included in the study. At the time of oophorectomy, the mean age and body mass index of the cohort were 30.4 ± 8.4 years and 30.2 ± 7.3 kg/m2, respectively, and the average interval from the initiation of testosterone to oophorectomy was 36 0.3 ± 37.9 months. On examination of ovarian histopathology, 49.4% (42) of specimens were found to have follicular/simple cysts, 5.9% (5) were polycystic, and 38.8% (33) had normal pathology. For those specimens with volume documented (n = 41), the median volume was 9.6 (range 1.5-82.5) cm3. There was no association between the duration of testosterone therapy or body mass index and the presence of cysts in the ovaries. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The results of this study reported benign histopathology in ovaries of a large cohort of transmasculine persons on testosterone which should be included when counseling patients on ovarian retention, as transmasculine patients may choose to retain their ovaries while on testosterone for a variety of reasons (including no desire to undergo surgery, desire for backup sex steroids, and potential use for future fertility). STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS This is a large multicenter study seeking to address the uncertainty in present counseling surrounding ovarian conservation in transmasculine persons on testosterone therapy. Its limitations included its retrospective nature and inability to address ovarian function after testosterone discontinuance. CONCLUSION In this cohort of transmasculine patients on testosterone therapy undergoing hysterectomy with oophorectomy for gender affirmation, ovarian histopathology was benign in all the specimens. Grimstad FW, Fowler KG, New EP, et al. Ovarian Histopathology in Transmasculine Persons on Testosterone: A Multicenter Case Series. J Sex Med 2020;17:1807-1818.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances W Grimstad
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kylie G Fowler
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Erika P New
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Cecile A Ferrando
- Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Center for LGBT Care, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Robert R Pollard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Graham Chapman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Meredith Gray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Veronica Gomez Lobo
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MA, USA
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13
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Grimstad F, Boskey E. Empowering Transmasculine Youth by Enhancing Reproductive Health Counseling in the Primary Care Setting. J Adolesc Health 2020; 66:653-655. [PMID: 32473720 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frances Grimstad
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Elizabeth Boskey
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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