Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy in Trans Persons Is Safe and Effective at Short-Term Follow-Up: Results from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence

The study by the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence assessed the short-term safety and effectiveness of cross-sex hormone therapy (CHT) in 53 trans men and 53 trans women. Trans men received testosterone injections, leading to increased sexual desire, voice changes, clitoral pain, acne, facial and body hair growth, androgenetic alopecia, muscle mass, and changes in lipid profiles, with 5.7% developing erythrocytosis. Trans women were treated with cyproterone acetate and estradiol, resulting in breast tenderness, hot flashes, emotional changes, decreased sex drive, and changes in body fat distribution, with adequate suppression of testosterone and gonadotropins. No serious adverse events were reported. The study concluded that CHT is effective in inducing desired physical changes and is well tolerated in the short term, with a low risk of side effects and adverse events.