Medical Dermatologic Conditions in Transgender Women

October 2018 in “ International Journal of Women's Dermatology ”

Shankar N. Mundluru, Allison R. Larson

Studysummary This review discusses lesser-known concerns in transgender dermatology, including neovaginal issues, neoplastic and autoimmune conditions, and the effects of unapproved injectable substances, but reports no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviews dermatologic conditions in transgender women, particularly those undergoing hormone therapy and surgical transition. It reports that hormone therapy can lead to changes in hair growth, improvement in androgenic alopecia, and reduced acne. Complications associated with neovaginas, such as stenosis and intravaginal hairballs, are discussed, along with the microbiology of neovaginas and the risk of neovaginal cancer, for which routine screening is recommended. The review also mentions benign neovaginal diseases and does not find an increased skin cancer risk due to estrogen therapy. Autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been reported in transgender women following estrogen therapy, with some cases showing severe manifestations, while one case improved after testosterone treatment. The use of illegal black market injectables for body contouring can lead to serious complications. The document concludes that more research is needed to understand dermatological issues in transgender patients, as current knowledge is mainly limited to changes in acne, hair distribution, and the consequences of gender-affirming surgery.

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research Scalp Hair Regrowth in Hormone-Treated Transgender Woman

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research Progress on the Road to Better Medical Care for Transgender Patients

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