Neovaginal Human Papilloma Virus-Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Transgender Woman.

This case series discusses a human papilloma virus (HPV)­related neovaginal squamous cell carcinoma in a transgender woman and the need for formal gynecologic screening recommendations.

Sex: the last real binary?

The rights of transgender and intersex people have become a contentious issue in our current political climate. Whether it be the rights of intersex athletes such as Caster Semenya (who identifies as a woman) to compete in elite sport, or the rights of transgender women to use women's only spaces, there is an increasingly fierce debate as to the legitimacy of people's gender and sexual identities and what parameters should be used to define them. A common argument accepted by most in our society is that while gender may be a spectrum, sex is an inalienable binary.

Difficulties of gender affirming treatment in trans women with BRCA1+ mutation: A case report.

Gender affirming treatment in transgender women is based on a combination of antiandrogens and estrogens, with the latter maintained over the long term. When prescribing these treatments, we must consider the possibility of developing estrogen-dependent breast cancer. In transgender women, a breast cancer incidence of 4.1 per 100,000 has been estimated, which would increase the risk by 46% in relation to cisgender men but decrease it by 70% in relation to cisgender women. It is known that certain gene mutations such as BRCA1 imply an increased risk of breast cancer, but at present the risk in transgender women with BRCA1 treated with estrogens is not well established. We present the case of a transgender woman with a family history of breast cancer and BRCA1 mutation and the therapeutic decisions made in a multidisciplinary team. Following this case, we review and discuss the published literature.

The reproduction of knowledge hierarchies in transgender medicine: Professional, lay, and global expertise in clinical practice guidelines.

The process for developing clinical practice guidelines in medicine has changed dramatically over time. Previously, small groups of clinicians crafted clinical practice guidelines based on their professional expertise, but guideline developers must increasingly consider patients' lay expertise, global expertise, and principles of evidence-based medicine. This article analyzes how the World Professional Association for Transgender Health grappled with diverse forms of expertise and evidence-based medicine in the process of creating its "Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8" (hereafter, SOC-8), a prominent set of clinical practice guidelines in transgender medicine. Analysis is based on 83 interviews with clinicians, patients, and activists in the U.S. and Thailand between 2019 and 2021, as well as observation of transgender health conferences and content analysis of written materials. I find that despite the ostensible goal of incorporating more diverse expertise in this version of the guidelines, the SOC-8 ultimately reproduced traditional knowledge hierarchies in science and medicine in which the lay expertise of transgender and gender non-conforming patients and expertise from the Global South remain marginalized. I attribute this re-marginalization to the regulatory objectivity enacted in the SOC-8 revision process, which re-legitimized professional expertise, established no formal infrastructure for ensuring the equal participation of Global South stakeholders, and permitted limited inclusion of lay expertise from transgender and gender non-conforming people with relatively high levels of privilege (according to race, education, and other social statuses). These findings have implications for future research on knowledge hierarchies in science and medicine and the creation of clinical practice guidelines.

Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics as predictors for quality of life in transmasculine and transfeminine individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Healthcare systems and providers have increasingly acknowledged the role and impact of social determinants in overall health. However, gender-diverse individuals face persistent health disparities due to their identities. There is limited research on the impact of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics on mood and quality of life (QoL) for transgender (TG) individuals. Our study aims to understand and better elucidate social and clinical characteristics of transmasculine (TM) and transfeminine (TF) individuals and their impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, 298 TF and TM individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) were surveyed about their demographic characteristics (age, gender identity, body mass index (BMI), and education), social needs, mood, and quality of life. Multivariable regression modelling was performed to assess the effect of each variable listed above on three domains of QoL (psychological, environmental, and physical) as well as depressive symptoms. We find that QoL scores are similar between TM and TF individuals, with scores in the psychological domain particularly low in both cohorts. TM individuals report higher rates of stress and restroom avoidance than TF individuals. In particular, psychological well-being (measured by the psychological domain of QoL and depressive symptoms) is significantly associated with increased BMI, financial instability, and stress in TM individuals while for TF individuals, psychological well-being is associated with stress and social integration. These data suggest that social circumstances are key drivers of QoL and psychological well-being among gender-diverse individuals receiving GAHT with specific differences between TF and TM individuals. This information may be utilized by healthcare providers and policymakers to address and improve clinical care and social policies to improve health equity for gender-diverse individuals.

Mental health outcomes and suicidality in hospitalized transgender adolescents: A propensity score-matched Cross-sectional analysis of the National inpatient sample 2016-2018.

Transgender adolescents have unique mental health needs. This demographic has increased rates of mood disorders, anxiety, and depression compared to their cisgender peers. Large-scale studies focused on mental health outcomes, including suicidality, in the transgender adolescent population remain unknown. This study tries to fill these gaps in the literature. Data for this study was taken from the National Inpatient Sample 2016-2018. Transgender adolescents were identified using the ICD-10 codes related to transsexualism diagnoses. These individuals were compared to adolescents without transsexualism diagnoses. To mitigate imbalances in baseline characteristics, we utilized a 1:2 nearest neighbor propensity score matching with a caliper width of 0.0001, considering variables such as age, year of hospitalization, and psychiatric disorders. Following propensity score matching, the study cohort comprised 2635 transgender and 5270 non-transgender adolescents (Mean age 15.2 years). The transgender group demonstrated a notably higher prevalence of mood disorders (91%) and anxiety disorders (65%). Furthermore, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was significantly higher in the transgender group (52.4% vs. 39.2%, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of suicide attempts between the groups. After controlling for psychiatric comorbidities, age, and gender, the odds ratio for the composite outcome of suicidal ideation or attempt was 1.99 (95% CI 1.58-2.12, p < 0.001). Our study identifies elevated mood and anxiety disorders and suicidality rates in hospitalized transgender adolescents compared to cisgender peers. Mood disorders notably amplify the risk of suicidal attempts. These findings urgently call for targeted mental health interventions and policy changes to serve this vulnerable population in healthcare settings better.

Cardiovascular disease in transgender people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Hormone therapy in transgender people might be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate whether the risk of CVD is increased in transgender people compared with people of the same birth sex. DESIGN AND METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched until July 2022. Studies evaluating cardiovascular events in transgender women or men were included. Primary outcomes were stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risk for transgender women versus cisgender men and for transgender men versus cisgender women was analysed through random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies involving 19 893 transgender women, 14 840 transgender men, 371 547 cisgender men, and 434 700 cisgender women were included. The meta-analysis included 10 studies (79% of transgender women and 76% of transgender men). In transgender women, incidence of stroke was 1.8%, which is 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.8) times higher than in cisgender men. Incidence of MI was 1.2%, with a pooled relative risk of 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8-1.2). Venous thromboembolism incidence was 1.6%, which is 2.2 (95% CI, 1.1-4.5) times higher. Stroke occurred in 0.8% of transgender men, which is 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0-1.6) times higher compared with cisgender women. Incidence of MI was 0.6%, with a pooled relative risk of 1.7 (95% CI, 0.8-3.6). For VTE, this was 0.7%, being 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0-2.0) times higher. CONCLUSIONS: Transgender people have a 40% higher risk of CVD compared with cisgender people of the same birth sex. This emphasizes the importance of cardiovascular risk management. Future studies should assess the potential influence of socio-economic and lifestyle factors.

After the trans brain: a critique of the neurobiological accounts of embodied trans* identities.

This paper critically analyses three main neurobiological hypotheses on trans* identities: the neurobiological theory about the origin of gender dysphoria, the neurodevelopmental cortical hypothesis, and the alternative hypothesis of self-referential thinking and body perception. In this study I focus then the attention on three elements: the issue of (de)pathologisation, the idea of the trans brain, and the aetiology of trans* identities. While the neurobiological theory about the origin of gender dysphoria and the neurodevelopmental cortical hypothesis claim the existence of the trans brain, each offering its own neurobiological depiction, the hypothesis of self-referential thinking and body perception doesn't postulate a distinctive neurobiological trait for all trans* people. I problematize both portrayals of the trans brain departing from the findings and conceptualizations of the paradigm shifting brain mosaicism. Unlike the hypothesis of self-referential thinking and body perception that keeps the question of causation open, both the neurobiological theory about the origin of gender dysphoria and the neurodevelopmental cortical hypothesis situate the origin of trans* identities in the neurobiological domain. I challenge the biological deterministic framework in which this aetiology is inscribed from a dynamic processual entanglement perspective. Finally, concerning the issue of (de)pathologisation of trans* identities, an evolution can be seen in each of the hypothesis and among them, from the least to the most depathologising. However, I question their complete departure from a pathologising framework.

The behavioral component of sexual inhibition and its relation with testosterone levels: An fMRI study in transgender and cisgender individuals.

Many transgender individuals report having difficulties with initiating and seeking sexual contacts. Relatively to cisgender individuals, transgender individuals are more likely to avoid sexual activity, indicating that the groups might differ in the neural underpinnings of the behavioral component of sexual inhibition. In this fMRI study, transgender (n = 33) and cisgender (n = 34) participants performed an Approach Avoidance Task (AAT) assessing sexual inhibition. We found that over the entire sample, the task elicited brain activation commonly associated with general and sexual inhibition, for instance in the bilateral insula, right inferior parietal lobule, and right inferior and middle frontal gyri. Upon investigating group differences between transgender and cisgender participants, we mainly found similarities in neural activation during the task. However, there were group differences in regions involved in decision making processes (left middle temporal gyrus) and sexual response inhibition (right anterior cingulate cortex and left inferior parietal lobule). In order to investigate whether these group differences were modulated by testosterone levels, we performed ROI-analyses assessing the relationship between testosterone and neural activation during the AAT (controlling for sex assigned at birth), but no correlations were found. On the whole brain level, however, we found that testosterone correlated positively with cerebral activation in the right claustrum (a region associated with sexual arousal) during the approach of sexual stimuli in the transgender group. Overall, these findings indicate that transgender and cisgender individuals mostly show similarities in their neural response to a sexual Approach-Avoidance task, and that testosterone levels are unlikely to play an important role.

Physical activity among transgender individuals: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies.

Transgender individuals face stigma, discrimination, and other barriers impacting their ability to engage in physical activity (PA). We aim to review current literature on PA among transgender individuals. A systemic literature search of research studies from 2010-2023 was conducted. Studies must have reported a measure of PA and gender, be original research, and focus on transgender participants' PA. Rates of PA for transgender individuals were lower compared to cisgender or sexual minority individuals. Transgender women were less likely to engage in PA than other groups. Qualitative results suggest transgender oppression, stigma, discrimination, body image, unwelcoming environments (gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools), and the dichotomous structure of sport contribute to lower rates of PA among transgendered individuals. Disparities in PA for transgender individuals exist. Policy, environment, and system changes are needed to reduce transgender stigma in sport and PA settings. Current legislation is being developed and implemented in the United States regarding the place of transgender individuals in sport and PA. These results should inform public discourse on the topic.

Determinants of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Retention among Transgender Women: A Sequential, Explanatory Mixed Methods Study.

Transgender women (TW) face inequities in HIV and unique barriers to PrEP, an effective biomedical intervention to prevent HIV acquisition. To improve PrEP retention among TW, we examined factors related to retention using a two-phase, sequential explanatory mixed methods approach. In Phase I, we used data from a trial of 170 TW who were provided oral PrEP to examine predictors of 24-week retention. In Phase II, we conducted 15 in-depth interviews with PrEP-experienced TW and used thematic analysis to explain Phase I findings. In Phase I, more participants who were not retained at 24 weeks reported sex work engagement (18% versus 7%) and substantial/severe drug use (18% versus 8%). In Phase II, participants reported drug use as a barrier to PrEP, often in the context of sex work, and we identified two subcategories of sex work. TW engaged in "non-survival sex work" had little difficulty staying on PrEP, while those engaged in "survival sex work" struggled to stay on PrEP. In Phase I, fewer participants not retained at 24 weeks reported gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) use (56% versus 71%). In Phase II, participants prioritized medical gender affirmation services over PrEP but also described the bidirectional benefits of accessing GAHT and PrEP. TW who engaged in "survival sex work" experience barriers to PrEP retention (e.g., unstable housing, drug use) and may require additional support to stay in PrEP care.

Patterns of Perioperative Hormone Therapy for Gender-Affirming Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus regarding perioperative hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for gender-affirming surgery (GAS). Common concerns for continuing perioperative HRT included risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or hematoma. However, discontinuing HRT is not risk free and may cause mood swing or increased anxiety. Our study aimed to investigate current patterns of HRT before GAS worldwide. METHODS: The first stage of Delphi technique was implemented by sending a 27-item survey to all surgeons (total n = 150; 94 plastic surgeon, 35 urologist, and 21 gynecologists) of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health who perform GAS. Survey themes included the hormone type, duration, and usage of DVT prophylaxis. RESULTS: Overall survey response rate was 34% (total n = 51; 8 urologists, 35 plastic surgeons, and 8 gynecologists). The majority of surgeons are US-based (n = 39, 76%). The most common HRTs are in injection form (n = 28, 55%). The majority of surgeons do not stop HRT before GAS and do provide DVT prophylaxis to all patients <1 week after GAS. The most common procedure that surgeons discontinue HRT is feminizing bottom surgery (43%). For surgeons who discontinue HRT before GAS, there is a wide variation on discontinuation schedule. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variation in perioperative HRT patterns for GAS. Further research is needed to develop a data-driven consensus guideline to provide high quality of care for transgender and nonbinary patients.

The Effect of Obesity on Vaginoplasty Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Some surgeons use body mass index criteria within the patient selection processes before vaginoplasty, thereby limiting access to select obese patients. We sought to better characterize the effect of obesity on postoperative outcomes across multiple vaginoplasty techniques. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of all transfeminine patients undergoing primary vaginoplasty procedures from December 2018 to July 2022 was conducted. Patients were stratified into cohorts according to the World Health Organization Obesity Class criteria. Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, operative details, postoperative complications, and all-cause revision were collected. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients met the inclusion criteria. Average follow-up duration was 9.1 ± 4.7 months. Multivariate regression revealed that patients with class I and class II/III obesity were associated with higher odds of developing vaginal stenosis (class I: odds ratio [OR], 7.1 [ P = 0.003]; class II/III: OR, 3.4 [ P = 0.018]) and all-cause revision (class I: OR, 3.7 [ P = 0.021]; class II/III: OR, 4.8 [ P = 0.027]). Undergoing either robotic peritoneal or robotic intestinal vaginoplasty was associated with lower odds of delayed wound healing (peritoneal: OR, 0.2 [ P < 0.001]; intestinal: OR, 0.2 [ P = 0.011]). Lastly, adherence to dilation regimen was negatively associated with development of vaginal stenosis (OR, 0.04; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with obesity may be at a higher risk of developing vaginal stenosis after vaginoplasty, which may ultimately necessitate operative revision. Although patients with obesity may remain surgical candidates, proper preoperative counseling and adherence to postoperative vaginal dilation regimens are critical to optimizing outcomes.

Endometrial Cancer in a Transgender Man with Prolonged Exogenous Testosterone Use.

BACKGROUND: Hormone therapy (HT) in transgender males requires monitoring. For amenorrheic transmasculine individuals on HT, episodes of abnormal vaginal bleeding should be assessed promptly. CASE: A 33-year-old transgender man on exogenous testosterone therapy for medical gender transition was found to have stage IV endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. Surgical resection was performed for symptom control, and the patient was treated with palliative chemotherapy. The tumor was androgen receptor-negative, and, after a multidisciplinary discussion of the risks and benefits of continuing exogenous testosterone, testosterone therapy was restarted postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Long-term androgen use may have unknown implications for the development of malignancy, and treating reproductive organ cancer in transgender males may be complicated by the desire to continue androgen therapy.

Associations between early child adversity and lifetime suicide attempts among gender diverse individuals: A moderated mediation.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on lifetime suicide attempts (LSA) across five gender subgroups (i.e., transgender men, transgender women, transgender non-binary, cisgender men and cisgender women). OBJECTIVE: To examine (1) the prevalence of LSA across gender identity subgroups; (2) whether the association between ACEs and LSA is moderated by gender identity subgroup; (3) depressive symptoms, alcohol use disorder, social support, and social well-being as mechanisms linking ACEs with LSA; and (4) the moderating role of gender identity on the four putative mediators. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: We used nationally representative data from a population-based survey of N = 1368 transgender and cisgender individuals collected between 2016 and 2019. METHODS: Structural equation modeling was used to explore the indirect effect of depressive symptoms on the relation between ACEs and LSA, and the moderating impact of gender identity. RESULTS: LSA was significantly more prevalent among transgender respondents (cisgender man = 5 %; cisgender woman = 9 %; transgender man = 42 %; transgender woman = 33 %; transgender non-binary = 37 %; p < 0.001). Individuals with more ACEs had a greater risk of engaging in LSA regardless of gender identity; however, moderation results showed that the impact of each additional ACE on LSA was stronger for individuals with transgender identities: the likelihood of engaging in LSA was statistically similar for transgender men with no ACEs and cisgender men with all 8 ACEs. Indirect effects of ACEs on LSA via depressive symptoms were also observed, and the mediating effect was moderated by gender identity. CONCLUSIONS: By examining the mechanisms linking childhood adversity to LSA, this study demonstrates that not all ACEs impact gender minority subgroups equally.