Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care.

Importance: Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youths are disproportionately burdened by poor mental health outcomes owing to decreased social support and increased stigma and discrimination. Although gender-affirming care is associated with decreased long-term adverse mental health outcomes among these youths, less is known about its association with mental health immediately after initiation of care. Objective: To investigate changes in mental health over the first year of receiving gender-affirming care and whether initiation of puberty blockers (PBs) and gender-affirming hormones (GAHs) was associated with changes in depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at an urban multidisciplinary gender clinic among TNB adolescents and young adults seeking gender-affirming care from August 2017 to June 2018. Data were analyzed from August 2020 through November 2021. Exposures: Time since enrollment and receipt of PBs or GAHs. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mental health outcomes of interest were assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scales, which were dichotomized into measures of moderate or severe depression and anxiety (ie, scores ≥10), respectively. Any self-report of self-harm or suicidal thoughts over the previous 2 weeks was assessed using PHQ-9 question 9. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess change from baseline in each outcome at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. Bivariate and multivariable logistic models were estimated to examine temporal trends and investigate associations between receipt of PBs or GAHs and each outcome. Results: Among 104 youths aged 13 to 20 years (mean [SD] age, 15.8 [1.6] years) who participated in the study, there were 63 transmasculine individuals (60.6%), 27 transfeminine individuals (26.0%), 10 nonbinary or gender fluid individuals (9.6%), and 4 youths who responded "I don't know" or did not respond to the gender identity question (3.8%). At baseline, 59 individuals (56.7%) had moderate to severe depression, 52 individuals (50.0%) had moderate to severe anxiety, and 45 individuals (43.3%) reported self-harm or suicidal thoughts. By the end of the study, 69 youths (66.3%) had received PBs, GAHs, or both interventions, while 35 youths had not received either intervention (33.7%). After adjustment for temporal trends and potential confounders, we observed 60% lower odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.40; 95% CI, 0.17-0.95) and 73% lower odds of suicidality (aOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.65) among youths who had initiated PBs or GAHs compared with youths who had not. There was no association between PBs or GAHs and anxiety (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.41, 2.51). Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that gender-affirming medical interventions were associated with lower odds of depression and suicidality over 12 months. These data add to existing evidence suggesting that gender-affirming care may be associated with improved well-being among TNB youths over a short period, which is important given mental health disparities experienced by this population, particularly the high levels of self-harm and suicide.

The wellbeing and health needs of a cohort of transgender young people accessing specialist medical gender-affirming healthcare in Auckland.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing numbers of young people are seeking gender-affirming healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand, and although international studies report health and wellbeing benefits of early medical intervention, we have no published reports on the impact of health services in this country. METHODS: Transgender young people accessing a specialist service providing medical gender-affirming healthcare were invited to take part in a survey about their health and wellbeing. RESULTS: High or very high psychological distress levels were reported by 74% of respondents, with 39% being unable to access mental health support when needed. DISCUSSION: Although the proportion of transgender young people with high or very high levels of psychological distress was five times greater (74%) than for the general population of young people (14.5%) in Aotearoa New Zealand, it was not as large as the proportion found for transgender young people in a community study (86%) in which an unmet need for hormones was reported by 29%. This highlights the need for clear referral pathways to access specialist gender-affirming healthcare services in order to reduce disparities in mental health outcomes.

Validating Data-Driven Methods for Identifying Transgender Individuals in the Veterans Health Administration of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

We sought to operationalize and validate data-driven approaches for identifying transgender individuals in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through a retrospective analysis using VA administrative data from 2006-2018. Besides diagnoses of gender identity disorder (GID), a combination of non-GID data elements was used to identify potentially transgender veterans, including 1) an International Classification of Diseases (Ninth or Tenth Revision) code of endocrine disorder, unspecified or not otherwise specified; 2) receipt of sex hormones not associated with the sex documented in the veteran's records (gender-affirming hormone therapy); and 3) a change in the veteran's administratively recorded sex. Both GID and non-GID data elements were applied to a sample of 13,233,529 veterans utilizing the VHA of the VA between January 2006 and December 2018. We identified 10,769 potentially transgender veterans. Based on a high positive predictive value for GID-coded veterans (83%, 95% confidence interval: 77, 89) versus non-GID-coded veterans (2%, 95% confidence interval: 1, 11) from chart review validation, the final analytical sample comprised only veterans with a GID diagnosis code (n = 9,608). In the absence of self-identified gender identity, findings suggest that relying entirely on GID diagnosis codes is the most reliable approach for identifying transgender individuals in the VHA of the VA.

Primary headaches among gender dysphoric female-to-male individuals: A cross-sectional survey on gender transition experience.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency, attack characteristics, and treatment experiences of migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) among gender dysphoric female-to-male (FtM) participants as well as in relation to psychiatric comorbidities and real-life experience that relates to being transgender in Turkey. BACKGROUND: There are only a few publications to date on transgender individuals with headache. Further studies to understand the distinctive needs might provide better management. METHODS: A total of 88 gender dysphoric FtM individuals (mean (SD) age: 24.8 (5.7) years) were included on a voluntary basis in this cross-sectional survey. Each participant filled out the questionnaire form that elicited items on sociodemographic characteristics, Gender Identity Transition Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Headache Questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 32/88 (36.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.0%-47.0%) participants were diagnosed with migraine, and 36/88 (40.9%; 95% CI: 31.5%-52.3%) participants were diagnosed with TTH. High rates of unemployment, smoking, and social drinking were observed in our sample compared with the general population in Turkey. The three-item ID migraine screener was positive in 20.5% (18/88 patients) of our population. Patients with migraine in comparison with patients with TTH had statistically significantly higher BDI [12.0 (1-50) vs. 7.0 (0-33); p = 0.013] and BAI [13 (1-48) vs. 5 (0-22); p = 0.016] scores, longer headaches in the past month [median 3 vs. 1 day; p < 0.001], higher Numerical Rating Scale scores for headache severity [7 (2-10) vs. 5 (1-9), p < 0.001], and higher likelihood of menstruation acting as a triggering factor [8/32 patients (25.0%) vs. 0/36 patients (0.0%); p = 0.001] as well as increased rates of previously given diagnosis by a physician [15/32 patients (46.9%) vs. 4/36 patients (11.1%); p < 0.001], a greater number of neuroimaging tests being performed [12/32 patients (37.5%) vs. 3/36 patients (9.1%); p = 0.012], and a higher rate of emergency room utilization [7/32 patients (21.9%) vs. 1/36 patients (2.8%); p = 0.039] for headache. CONCLUSIONS: In the FtM transgender population we investigated, migraine and TTH were quite common. The screening and early recognition of comorbid migraine, as well as the comorbid depression and anxiety, seem to be important in gender dysphoric FtM individuals. Further studies are needed to better understand the potential interaction of migraine with comorbid psychiatric disorders and the prevalence of headache types and gender-affirmative hormone treatment outcomes in the transgender population.

Gender Expression among Transgender Women in Japan: Support Is Needed to Improve Social Passing as a Woman.

Gender expression is important for transgender women to improve their social passing as women. Herein, a questionnaire about the status of gender expression and support needs was distributed to 54 transgender women aged 17-71 in Japan. Most of the respondents noted that they had found it relatively difficult to handle physical changes and weight gain due to hormone treatment. They also found it difficult to enact and sustain practices such as a feminine use of voice and to use women-only services, whereas practicing and continuing with routine skin and hair care and feminine mannerisms were relatively easy for them. In the questionnaire regarding the support for gender transitioning, many items showed only a small percentage of the transgender women had received the support that they were looking for, and most of their needs for support were not addressed. Some of the factors that increased the respondents' needs and achievement of gender expression as women included estrogen treatment, sex reassignment surgery, and living as a woman; these aspects met their support needs as well. Gender support professionals need to coordinate and collaborate with specialists in areas such as nutritional guidance and voice training to enable transgender women to improve the extent to which they can socially 'pass' as women.

Reproductive functions and fertility preservation in transgender women: a French case series.

RESEARCH QUESTION: The reproductive potential of transgender people may be impaired by gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) and is obviously suppressed by gender-affirming surgery involving bilateral orchiectomy. The evolution of medical support for transgender people has made fertility preservation strategies possible. Fertility preservation in transgender women mainly relies on sperm cryopreservation. There are few studies on this subject, and the sample sizes are small, and so it difficult to know whether fertility preservation procedures are feasible and effective in trans women. DESIGN: This retrospective study reports the management of fertility preservation in transgender women referred to the study centre for sperm cryopreservation, and the semen parameters of trans women were compared with those of sperm donors. RESULTS: Ninety-six per cent of transgender women who had not started treatment benefitted from sperm cryopreservation, compared with 80% of those who attempted a therapeutic window and 50% of those receiving hormonal treatment at the time of sperm collection. No major impairment of semen parameters was observed in transgender women who had not started GAHT compared with sperm donors. However, even though the frequency of oligozoospermia was no different, two transgender women presented azoospermia. Some transgender women who had started GAHT could benefit from sperm freezing. None of them were treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues. CONCLUSIONS: Parenthood strategies for transgender people have long been ignored, but this is an important issue to consider, especially because medical treatments and surgeries may be undertaken in adolescents or very young adults. Fertility preservation should ideally be offered prior to initiation of GAHT.

Erythrocytosis in a Large Cohort of Trans Men Using Testosterone: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study on Prevalence, Determinants, and Exposure Years.

CONTEXT: Erythrocytosis is a known side effect of testosterone therapy that can increase the risk of thromboembolic events. OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence and determinants in the development of erythrocytosis in trans men using testosterone. METHODS: A 20-year follow-up study in adult trans men who started testosterone therapy and had monitoring of hematocrit at our center (n = 1073). RESULTS: Erythrocytosis occurred in 11% (hematocrit > 0.50 L/L), 3.7% (hematocrit > 0.52 L/L), and 0.5% (hematocrit > 0.54 L/L) of trans men. Tobacco use (odds ratio [OR] 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-3.3), long-acting undecanoate injections (OR 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7-5.0), age at initiation of hormone therapy (OR 5.9; 95% CI, 2.8-12.3), body mass index (BMI) (OR 3.7; 95% CI, 2.2-6.2), and pulmonary conditions associated with erythrocytosis and polycythemia vera (OR 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-4.4) were associated with hematocrit > 0.50 L/L. In the first year of testosterone therapy hematocrit increased most: 0.39 L/L at baseline to 0.45 L/L after 1 year. Although there was only a slight continuation of this increase in the following 20 years, the probability of developing erythrocytosis still increased (10% after 1 year, 38% after 10 years). CONCLUSION: Erythrocytosis occurs in trans men using testosterone. The largest increase in hematocrit was seen in the first year, but also after the first years a substantial number of people present with hematocrit > 0.50 L/L. A reasonable first step in the care for trans men with erythrocytosis while on testosterone is to advise them to quit smoking, to switch to a transdermal administration route, and if BMI is high, to lose weight.

Medical Gender Affirmation and HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention in Transgender Youth: Results from the Survey of Today's Adolescent Relationships and Transitions, 2018.

Purpose: We assessed the association of receipt of medical gender affirmation services (e.g., hormones, surgery) with HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and knowledge indicators among transgender youth. Methods: A United States online sample of sexually experienced transgender youth ages 13-24 years (N = 1029) in 2018 completed a cross-sectional survey, including questions about sociodemographics, medical gender affirmation, and HIV and STD prevention outcomes (HIV testing, STD testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] awareness, and nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis [nPEP] awareness). Logistic regression models were fit to assess the association of medical gender affirmation with HIV and STD prevention outcomes. Interaction terms and stratified models assessed differences in the association between medical gender affirmation and outcomes by gender identity. Results: Participants' mean age was 19.1 (standard deviation = 2.7), 45% were transgender female, 29% transgender male, 26% nonbinary, 53% were youth of color, and 19% accessed medical gender affirmation services. Medical gender affirmation was associated with increased odds of STD testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33-2.73) with no significant interactions by gender identity. Associations between medical gender affirmation and awareness of PrEP and nPEP varied by gender identity. Among transgender male youth, medical gender affirmation was associated with awareness of PrEP (aOR = 2.65; 95% CI = 1.50-4.71) and nPEP (aOR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.12-3.71). Among nonbinary youth, medical gender affirmation was associated with awareness of PrEP (aOR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.26-11.27). Conclusion: Medical gender affirmation was associated with uptake and awareness of sexual health services. Bolstering medical gender affirmation for transgender youth may also bolster preventive health services broadly.

[Sex/gender ratio of adolescents with gender dysphoria of the Gender Identity Treatment Unit of Asturias]. / Ratio sexo/género de los adolescentes con disforia de género de la Unidad de Tratamiento de Identidad de Género de Asturias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Demand from minors with complaints of gender dysphoria has increased in recent years. This increase has been more pronounced in adolescent trans men in some international research studies. The first objective of this research study was to determine the sex/gender ratio of minors requesting a consultation in the Gender Identity Treatment Unit of the Principality of Asturias (UTIGPA) and presenting complaints of gender dysphoria. The second objective was to analyse the relationship of the sex/gender ratio with the age variable at which they requested the first consultation and the year in which they requested it. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The sample consisted of 42 children under 18, attended between January 2016 and January 2019. The medical records were then reviewed to obtain information. Descriptive statistics were analysed with the collected data. RESULTS: The sex / gender ratio over the period was 2/1 in favour of trans men. The average age at the request for consultation was 15.02 years (SD=1.84), with a range of 6 to 17 years. A higher percentage of applications was recorded (35.7%) in 2018, mostly made by trans men (93.3%). CONCLUSIONS: There was an inversion of the sex/gender ratio, a favour of trans men, over the last 3years, and an increase in the number of applications by adolescent trans men, coinciding with several international investigations.

Pathology of breast lesions in female transgender / Patología de las lesiones mamarias en las mujeres transgénero

Female transgender (male to female) is an individual assigned male sex at birth born but who identifies itself and desires to live as female. To achieve and maintain these characteristics, sometimes, it is necessary to undergo hormone therapy and/or surgical treatment. Benign lesions have been described including: fibroadenoma, lobular hyperplasia, pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, myofibroblastoma, angiolipoma and benign prosthesic reactions. And malignant pathology such as: ductal carcinoma in situ, Paget's disease, infiltrating carcinoma of non-special type (ductal, NOS), secretory adenocarcinoma, malignant phyllodes tumor and breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The described cases of each of these entities are reviewed. In conclusion, hormonal action or prosthesis implantation in female transgender can lead to associated pathologies in the mammary gland that follow a similar pattern to that found in the male breast. Although breast cancer is less frequent than in cisgender women, gynecological control or screening is recommended by some associations

La mujer transgénero (hombre a mujer) es aquella persona nacida varón pero que se identifica y desea vivir como una mujer. Para lograr este objetivo muchas veces precisa de tratamiento hormonal o quirúrgico para alcanzar los atributos sexuales de una mujer. La patología mamaria que estos pacientes pueden presentar es superponible a la patología de la mama masculina, a la patología derivada del tratamiento hormonal y a la relacionada con los implantes mamarios sintéticos. Se han descrito lesiones benignas que incluyen: fibroadenoma, hiperplasia lobulillar, hiperplasia estromal seudoangiomatosa, miofibroblastoma, angiolipoma y reacciones benignas a la prótesis. Y patología maligna como: carcinoma ductal in situ, enfermedad de Paget, carcinoma infiltrante de tipo no especial (ductal, NOS), adenocarcinoma secretor, tumor filoides maligno y linfoma anaplásico de célula grande asociado a prótesis. Se revisan los casos descritos de cada una de estas entidades. En conclusión, la acción hormonal o la implantación de prótesis en las mujeres transgénero pueden llevar asociadas patologías en la glándula mamaria que siguen un patrón similar al de la patología encontrada en la mama del varón. Aunque el cáncer de mama es menos frecuente que en las mujeres cisgénicas, se recomienda un control ginecológico o mediante cribado igual al de estas

Insurance Coverage and Use of Hormones Among Transgender Respondents to a National Survey.

PURPOSE: We undertook a study to assess the associations between barriers to insurance coverage for gender-affirming hormones (either lack of insurance or claim denial) and patterns of hormone use among transgender adults. METHODS: We used data from the US Transgender Survey, a large national sample of 27,715 transgender adults, collected from August to September 2015. We calculated weighted proportions and performed multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 12,037 transgender adults using hormones, 992 (9.17%) were using nonprescription hormones. Among insured respondents, 2,528 (20.81%) reported that their claims were denied. Use of nonprescription hormones was more common among respondents who were uninsured (odds ratio = 2.64; 95% CI, 1.88-3.71; P <.001) or whose claims were denied (odds ratio = 2.53; 95% CI, 1.61-3.97; P <.001). Uninsured respondents were also less likely to be using hormones (odds ratio = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.24-0.56; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of insurance coverage for gender-affirming hormones is associated with lower overall odds of hormone use and higher odds of use of nonprescription hormones; such barriers may thus be linked to unmonitored and unsafe medication use, and increase the risks for adverse health outcomes. Ensuring access to hormones can decrease the economic burden transgender people face, and is an important part of harm-reduction strategies.

Hormone Therapy and Discrimination in the Labor Market: Emerging Experimental Evidence on the Economics of Endocrinology.

BACKGROUND: Gender transitioning is increasingly common, but little is known about the extent to which individuals in transition and fully transitioned suffer from wage discrimination. Methods: Managers in the United States (n=204) were shown photos of white and Asian male and female "employees" at different stages of simulated hormone therapy and were asked to estimate their actual hourly wages based on appearance. RESULTS: The results suggest that Asian men and women "in transition" and fully transitioned do not suffer from significant wage discrimination. However, among the white stimuli, gender atypical ("in transition" and fully transitioned) men and women are estimated to earn significantly less than their gender typical (sexually dimorphic) counterparts, with some gender-specific nuances. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of hormone therapy may have a deleterious impact on the wages of white transgender individuals.

Qualitative Study of the Processes of Transgender-Men Identity Development.

OBJECTIVE: Describe and analyze the mental health service and medical needs of a group of transgender men from the point when they changed their gender identity to male. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Transgender men volunteers who attended a specialized care center in Mexico City answered a qualitative semi-structured interview to explore their needs as well as the adversities they unnecessarily face due to the lack of information and care for their condition. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. RESULTS: Respondents began to develop their transgender identity in childhood; however, during that time, almost none of them had any helpful contact with a health professional. Those who did receive some form of care received mistreatment rather than positive feedback. It was not until adulthood that they obtained facts about a specialized care center. CONCLUSION: It is necessary for health professionals to have information about sexual diversity and be trained to meet the needs of transgender children, in order to have information on places and professionals who accompany them and advise on available treatments such as hormone blockers or treatments. The study includes a small but important sample. However, the currently hostile, discriminatory environment, significantly exposes transgender people to developing mental health problems.

Increasing normality-persisting barriers: Current socio-demographic characteristics of 350 individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

INTRODUCTION: The number of individuals requesting medical treatment for gender dysphoria has increased significantly within the past years. Our purpose was to examine current biographic and socio-demographic characteristics and aspects of legal gender reassignment. DESIGN: Medical files from n = 350 individuals of a German Endocrine outpatient clinic were collected from 2009 to 2017 and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Ratio of transwomen to transmen equates to 1:1.89 with a remarkable increase of transmen by the year 2013, showing a reversal of gender distribution compared with previous studies for the first time. Use of illegal substances or self-initiated hormone therapy was rare (4.6 and 2.1%). Satisfaction with gender-affirming hormone therapy was significantly higher in transmen than in transwomen (100% vs 96.2%, P = .005). Use of antidepressants declined significantly after onset of hormone treatment in transmen (13% vs 7%; P = .007). The number of individuals with a graduation diploma was only about half as high as in the general population (14.3% vs 27.3%), whereas unemployment rate was more than twice as high (14% vs 6.9%). Median latency between application for legal gender reassignment and definitive court decision was 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide possible indications for a decline of psychosocial burden in individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria over the last years. However, affected individuals are still limited in their occupational and financial opportunities as well as by a complex and expensive procedure of legal gender reassignment in Germany.

Trends in Referrals to a Pediatric Transgender Clinic.

OBJECTIVES: We characterized referral trends over time at a transgender clinic within an integrated health system in Northern California. We identified the transition-related requests of pediatric transgender and gender-nonconforming patients and evaluated differences in referrals by age group. METHODS: Medical records were analyzed for all patients <18 years of age in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health system who were referred to a specialty transgender clinic between February 2015 and June 2018. Trends in treatment demand, demographic data, service requests, and surgical history were abstracted from medical charts and analyzed by using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: We identified 417 unique transgender and gender-nonconforming pediatric patients. The median age at time of referral was 15 years (range 3-17). Most (62%) identified on the masculine spectrum. Of the 203 patients with available ethnicity data, 68% were non-Hispanic. During the study period, the clinic received a total of 506 referrals with a significant increase over time (P < .001). Most referrals were for requests to start cross-sex hormones and/or blockers (34%), gender-affirming surgery (32%), and mental health (27%). Transition-related requests varied by age group: younger patients sought more mental health services, and older patients sought hormonal and surgical services. Eighty-nine patients underwent gender-affirming surgeries, mostly before age 18 and most frequently mastectomies (77%). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in referrals supports the need for expanded and accessible health care services for this population. The transition-related care of patients in this large sample varied by age group, underscoring the need for an individualized approach to gender-affirming care.

Gender-affirming healthcare experiences and medical transition among transgender women living with HIV: a mixed-methods study.

Background Transgender (trans) women are overrepresented among people living with HIV, yet trans women living with HIV (WLWH) experience lower access to HIV care. Access to medical transition may facilitate access to HIV care among trans WLWH. This study sought to describe barriers and facilitators to access to medical transition among trans WLWH. METHODS: This convergent parallel mixed-methods study drew on cross-sectional quantitative data from 48 trans WLWH analysed using descriptive and bivariate analyses, as well as qualitative semistructured interview data from a subsample of 11 participants analysed using framework analysis. The primary outcome was self-reported transition experience (completed or in the process of medical transition vs planning to but have not begun medical transition). Quantitative and qualitative results were merged and analysed for convergence, divergence and/or expansion of understanding. RESULTS: Just over half the participants reported being fully completed medical transition or in the process of medical transition (52.1% (25/48); 95% confidence interval (CI) 37.5-67.6%), with one-fifth reporting planning to but not having begun medical transition (18.8% (9/48); 95% CI 8.3-29.2%). Factors significantly associated with not having begun one's medical transition included housing instability, transphobia, HIV-related stigma and barriers in access to care. Qualitative findings revealed varied transition experiences, influenced by community norms, passing and class privilege, HIV and structural barriers. Mixed-methods results showed positive relationships between trans WLWH and HIV care providers in terms of trans and HIV health care. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-related stigma and social determinants of health limit access to medical transition for trans WLWH. Stigma must be addressed in a broad range of healthcare settings, in addition to structural barriers, to increase access to gender-affirming HIV care and medical transition for trans WLWH.

Baseline Mental Health and Psychosocial Functioning of Transgender Adolescents Seeking Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Research suggests that adolescents seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy experience elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and difficulties with peer relationships. Less is known regarding more specific aspects of mental health and psychosocial functioning. Furthermore, few studies have explored variations in mental health and psychosocial functioning by age, gender, degree of physical dysphoria, and informant type (adolescent, mother, and father). METHOD: Participants are adolescents (n = 149) and parents/guardians (n = 247) who presented to a multidisciplinary gender clinic in Dallas, TX for an initial assessment before initiation of gender-affirming hormone therapy. Adolescents completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and the Body Image Scale (a measure of physical dysphoria), and parents/guardians completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: Approximately half of participants reported clinically significant difficulties with internalizing symptoms and psychosocial functioning (particularly engagement in activities), with approximately one-third indicating significant difficulties with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Parents reported fewer symptoms than adolescents across several subscales, but differences were generally small. By contrast, gender differences were found across all internalizing subscales and were generally large. Age and body dissatisfaction were not independently associated with broadband measures but, in combination with gender, were strongly associated with variance in YSR and CBCL reports of internalizing symptoms. CONCLUSION: Elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and competency difficulties were broadly consistent with the previous literature and demonstrate the need for investment in the clinical training and infrastructure to provide comprehensive care to this population. Differences in mental health and psychosocial functioning by gender and clinic location appear to be less straightforward.