Clinical pearls of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender patients

Highs, Lows, and Hormones: A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Transgender Individuals' Experiences Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) is a key therapeutic approach which aims to help trans and gender diverse (or simply "trans") individuals' transition from their sex-presumed-at-birth to their experienced gender identity. Previous reviews have focused on synthesizing quantitative experiences; however, a qualitative lens is important to understand the personal journey of GAHT. This review provides a qualitative meta-synthesis of the experiences of trans people around the world who have undergone GAHT to elicit contextualized understanding of the changes experienced. Systematic searches of eight databases identified an initial 2670 papers, refined to a final 28 papers. Overall, findings suggested that the GAHT journey is unique and elicited a myriad of changes which, whilst challenging at times, were life-changing and brought about positive psychological, physical, and social changes. Other themes explored GAHT not being treated as a fix-all for associated mental health issues, the rules that govern appraisal of physical changes, how privilege and social identity evolve, and the power of affirmation. This work offers important recommendations to improve the care offered to trans people undergoing GAHT. Namely, person-centered support is essential, and peer-navigation may be a useful future direction to explore.

Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular considerations for transgender athletes

OBJECTIVE

Participation in athletics is essential for the overall well-being of transgender athletes and should be included as part of gender-affirming care. Surveys show physicians and athletic trainers want to provide appropriate care for transgender athletes but lack the proper knowledge and training to do so. Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) is part of gender-affirming care, yet the effects of GAHT on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health of transgender athletes is not well-understood. The purpose of this review was to discuss important musculoskeletal and cardiovascular considerations unique to transgender athletes and improve physician understanding in caring for transgender athletes.

METHODS

A representative selection of literature on the effects of GAHT on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health was included in this review.

RESULTS

Estrogen therapy may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and stroke, and decrease blood pressure levels among transgender women, while studies on lipid profile are inconsistent among both transgender men and women. Transgender women receiving GAHT may also be at greater risk for bone fracture and ligamentous injuries.

CONCLUSION

Exercise is essential for the well-being of transgender individuals and special considerations regarding the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health of transgender athletes should be incorporated into standard medical education. Educational programs for transgender patients and their support team should focus on preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of adverse musculoskeletal and cardiovascular events. The PPE is an invaluable tool available to physicians to monitor the health and safety of transgender athletes and should be regularly updated as research on the health of transgender individuals continues to grow. Longitudinal and prospective studies should examine the effects of GAHT on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health of transgender athletes. Lastly, health care providers play an important role in the advancement of gender-neutral policies.

A qualitative exploration of gynaecological healthcare experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer people assigned female at birth

BACKGROUND

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual/aromantic (LGBTQA+) people, assigned female at birth (AFAB), experience disproportionately poorer gynaecological healthcare outcomes compared to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. The barriers to gynaecological care remain poorly understood. In a step toward bridging this gap, the current study explored the lived gynaecological healthcare experiences of Australian LGBTQA+ AFAB people and the barriers they experience in accessing care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 LGBTQA+ AFAB people. An inductive thematic qualitative design was used to explore the lived experiences and identify themes associated with the reported experiences.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified seven themes related to experiences in accessing gynaecological healthcare, including discrimination, fear, perceived provider or cultural incompetency, accessibility, and gender identity. Several sub-themes were also identified such as refusal of care, microaggression, misgendering, and patient as educator.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants suggested that barriers to care could be alleviated by the integration of LGBTQA+ specific healthcare training into the university-level medical curriculum and professional development programs that address cultural competency and inclusive healthcare. These preliminary findings inform the necessity for the development of evidence-based practice guidelines that specifically address the unique and diverse needs of the LGBTQA+ AFAB population.

A Resource Compendium for Embedding LGBTQIA+ Patient Care in the Professional Identity of Community Pharmacists

OBJECTIVES

Cultural, clinical, social, and legally competent patient care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) patients is currently scarcely incorporated in pharmacy curricula. Furthermore, clinical, legal, and socio-cultural training that prepares pharmacists on the job to provide LGBTQIA+ competent patient care is scant. Here, our objectives were to (1) systematically review the literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify trends in community pharmacists' professional identity development related to the provision of competent LGBTQIA+ patient care, and (2) create a reference guide for community pharmacists for self-directed learning. The literature search focused on 4 professional identity domains common to most pharmacists: academic and clinical competence, cultural sensitivity, knowledge of state and federal laws, and continuing professional development.

FINDINGS

A total of 207 articles were identified, with 93 retrieved, of which 26 articles were included in the final analysis based on title and abstract and other inclusion criteria.

SUMMARY

Overall, our search identified that the LGBTQIA+ health professions literature focused on the following themes: guidance for appropriate drug selection and therapy, creation of cultural sensitivity training curricula, community pharmacists' perceptions of their ability to provide LGBTQIA+ care, health system interventions, and Allyship education for advancing LGBTQIA+ care, the need for enhanced training of pharmacists for understanding the federal and state laws and requirements while providing care, and the need for a resource compendium to help community pharmacists access self-directed learning information, for which we have created a self-help resource guide for pharmacists in these 4 professional pharmacist identity domains.

Disparities in sport participation of transgender women: a systematic and scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Transgender women experience disparities in sport participation that are exacerbated by policies from sport organisations and legislation in the USA regulating the participation of transgender women in the category that best aligns with their gender identity. Both transgender and cisgender women are affected by these policies because sport organisations do not have a clear understanding of the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on transgender women and the unfair advantage they may have over cisgender women athletes. This article describes a review protocol to understand disparities in sport participation of transgender women.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A systematic and scoping review is being conducted. Studies are included if they explore disparities in sport participation (ie, participation rates, real and/or perceived barriers to participation) of transgender women of any age. A search strategy has been developed for PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CINAHL. Relevant grey literature will also be scanned. The planned search dates are July and August 2023.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This review does not directly involve human subjects, so ethical approval is not required. Findings from the systematic review will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Body Feminization Combining Large-Volume Fat Grafting and Gluteal Implants

BACKGROUND

With the increase in popularity of fat transfer to the buttocks in body contouring surgery, new patient subsets are emerging. The gender confirmation patient has specific characteristics that must be addressed to achieve the best outcomes.

METHODS

The authors performed an observational prospective study including 36 consecutive patients who underwent body feminization as a gender affirming operation using large-volume fat transplantation with or without gluteal implants.

RESULTS

Thirty-six consecutive male-to-female transgender patients have undergone large-volume fat transplantation to the buttocks performed by the authors, between July of 2016 and January of 2019. In 12 of these 36 cases, large-volume fat grafting was supplemented by intramuscular placement of silicone implants. The mean waist-to-hip ratio before surgery was 1.11, and this improved to 0.81 after surgery (fat transfer-only group, 0.88; fat transfer plus implants group, 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The transgender patient is a unique patient requiring a specific set of surgeon's skills and intraoperative strategies to achieve good outcomes. Composite solutions with both implants and lipofilling lead to better outcomes in terms of waist-to-hip ratio in these patients.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Current use of testosterone therapy in LGBTQ populations

Testosterone therapy (TT) is a type of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and genderqueer (LGBTQ) populations for gender dysphoria (GD), body uneasiness, and sexual dysfunction. The physical and physiological effects of TT vary widely depending on the dosing regimen and duration of treatment. An individualized approach prioritizing patient-specific desired effects in the context of pre-existing characteristics and health history is strongly recommended. Although TT is an effective treatment for many patients, there has been an increase in the illegitimate acquisition of TT in recent years. Non-judicious prescribing and lack of physician surveillance increases the risk of unintended side effects and potential serious health consequences.

Eating disorder symptomatology in transgender patients: Differences across gender identity and gender affirmation

OBJECTIVE

Past studies have reported high rates of eating disorder (ED) symptomatology among transgender people, yet without consideration of gender affirmation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between gender identity, gender affirming interventions such as gender affirming hormones (GAH) and gender affirming surgeries (GAS), and ED symptomatology.

METHOD

Transgender patients at a primary care outpatient gender health program in the United States completed a survey consisting of demographics, medical history, and clinical variables, including the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Multivariate analyses of covariance were conducted to compare EDE-Q scores across gender identity and gender affirmation.

RESULTS

Compared to transgender men (n = 79), transgender women (n = 87) reported higher EDE-Q scores and significantly higher Eating Concern. Compared to hormone/surgery-naïve and hormone-experienced/surgery-naïve patients, hormone/surgery-experienced patients had lower EDE-Q scores. Hormone/surgery-experienced patients reported significantly lower Shape Concern and marginally lower Global Score and Weight Concern than hormone-experienced/surgery-naïve patients. There were no differences in EDE-Q scores between hormone/surgery-naïve and hormone-experienced/surgery-naïve patients.

DISCUSSION

Transgender patients report high levels of ED symptomatology. There are subtle, yet important, differences in ED between gender identities and gender affirmations. High ED prevalence may result from the dual pathways of sociocultural pressures as well as gender dysphoria. Both GAH and GAS may be effective interventions to support gender affirmation and thereby alleviate ED symptomatology. While the potential positive benefits of GAS on ED are more apparent, the effects of GAH are less clear.

Pharmacists' role in transgender healthcare: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Transgender patients have unique healthcare needs, providing pharmacists with the opportunity to play an important role in transgender care through addressing the healthcare disparities observed in this patient group.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to explore the role of pharmacists in transgender healthcare.

METHODS

Six databases were searched from inception: Emcare, Informit, MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The first author performed screening and data extraction in consensus with co-authors. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was utilised to report this review. Themes related to the role of pharmacists in transgender healthcare were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 356 studies were identified; however, only 15 studies, all from the USA met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Study types included empirical research, practice reports and opinion pieces such as commentaries, editorials, and reports. Pharmacists were found to practise in two different care settings: community and interdisciplinary clinics, performing various roles in transgender healthcare, including patient education and counselling, management of cross-sex hormonal therapy, patient advocacy and provision of preventative care. They were also responsible for the provision of culturally sensitive care in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Although pharmacists considered their role important, they lacked confidence in their knowledge to provide appropriate care to this patient group.

CONCLUSION

This review has highlighted that there is a need for education in transgender care for both pharmacists and pharmacy students, so that they are both confident and comfortable to play a meaningful role in transgender care. Pharmacists' involvement in addressing the health disparities experienced will contribute to improving the overall health outcomes for this group.

Health Care for Transgender Men: What Is Missing in OB/GYN Care?

OBJECTIVE

Transgender men (TGM) are those who identify their sex as male but were assigned female at birth who face marginalization in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) practices. The following commentary highlights recommendations for creating inclusive OB/GYN spaces and improving outcomes for TGM patients.

METHODS

The commentary is written in a call to action style using previously published literature about treatment and guidelines for care of transgender patients to highlight recommendations for creating inclusive OB/GYN spaces for TGM. The GLMA Handbook on LGBT Health and The UCSF Transgender Care Web site were among the resources used to gather information on transgender patient inclusivity in health care settings.

RESULTS

Supporting literature was collected that reinstates the need to include framing questions specific to the TGM population during history-taking, creating inclusive clinic settings, and enhancing health care provider training in TGM care.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important for TGM who have a vagina, cervix, and/or uterus to have routine gynecological screenings. However, the lack of gender inclusive care in OB/GYN clinics presents a barrier for many TGM and the recommendations emphasized in this commentary will increase sensitivity for the TGM patient population and decrease their marginalization in health care settings.

Case Report of Transgender Patient with Gonadotropic Dysfunction Secondary to Craniopharyngioma: Toward Improving Understanding of Biopsychosocial Dynamics of Gender Identity in Neurosurgical Care

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of information in the literature linking possible neuroendocrinologic repercussions of anterior pituitary insufficiency from tumor-associated mass effect with gender identity in transindividuals. The authors present the case of a 26-year-old transgender woman who was found to have a sellar/suprasellar neoplasm after reporting loss of vision in a bitemporal distribution.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 2.6-cm complex cystic and solid sellar/suprasellar mass, suggestive of craniopharyngioma, intimately associated with the pituitary stalk. Importantly, this radiographic diagnosis was made 2 years following the initiation of gender-affirming hormone therapy (HT). Laboratory testing following radiographic diagnosis demonstrated evidence of diffuse anterior pituitary insufficiency with decreased morning cortisol, free thyroxine, insulin-like growth factor-1, and testosterone. Following optimization with the endocrinology team, the patient was taken to the operating room for expanded endonasal resection of tumor with lumbar drain insertion and nasoseptal flap coverage. Gross total resection was achieved with marked improvement in vision noted following surgery. The patient continued her HT following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In hindsight, the neuroendocrinologic manifestations of the craniopharyngioma may have influenced distressing pubertal experiences that distanced her from her assigned male sex, as well as the desired effects of feminization HT in this patient, ultimately delaying her presentation to the neurosurgery service and diagnosis of craniopharyngioma. As the first report of the neurosurgical evaluation and treatment of a transgender patient with anterior pituitary insufficiency secondary to craniopharyngioma, this case examines the biopsychosocial interplay between the development of gender identity and the neuroendocrinologic manifestations of craniopharyngioma.

The Evolving Role of Pharmacists in Transgender Health Care

Pharmacists are increasingly part of a multifaceted team providing health care to members of the often marginalized transgender (TG) community. Some pharmacists, however, may feel unprepared to care for and interact with TG individuals. By providing comprehensive, respectful, and gender-affirming support, improving physical pharmacy environments with policies and procedures, pharmacists can be trustworthy providers for TG patients. This review focuses primarily on the health issues of TG persons and the pharmacist's role in promoting health, identifying barriers to health care, and providing health care resources for TG persons. The evolution of psychiatric diagnostic criteria, access to health care, and inclusion of TG, lesbian, gay, and bisexual topics in the educational curriculum are presented. Cultural competency and diversity training that addresses gender identity and sexual orientation issues should be important interdisciplinary and interprofessional activities for all health care professional education programs. Pharmacists play a key role in the health care needs of TG persons that include appropriate laboratory monitoring, complex pharmacotherapeutic challenges, and providing unbiased gender-affirming interactions. The pharmacy's physical environment, staff training, and policies and procedures can offer unique services to TG persons.

Optimizing HIV prevention and care for transgender adults

: Transgender women have recently been acknowledged as a unique and important risk group in HIV research and care. Although transgender men also face specific problems related to HIV infection, less is known about the risk behaviours and HIV prevalence of this important population. This article highlights key issues relating to the epidemiology, prevention, treatment and management of complications of HIV infection in transgender adults living with HIV, and explores future areas for HIV-related research, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare provision and quality of life for transgender persons worldwide.