Evaluation of Healthcare of Gender-Dysphoric Veterans in the Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System

The study evaluated the healthcare provided to 148 gender-dysphoric Veterans in the Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) using ICD-10 criteria. The population included 10 non-binary individuals, 43 transmen, and 95 transwomen. Transmen were younger than transwomen and had different military service backgrounds. Transwomen were more likely to see an endocrinologist and receive speech therapy. Cross-sex hormone therapy varied between groups, with transwomen receiving multiple combinations of medications and transmen primarily receiving testosterone. Most Veterans had not undergone gender-affirming surgery, and both groups had comparable mental health follow-up. The study concluded that care could be improved with a more consistent, team-based approach.