Hormonal and Surgical Treatment Options for Transgender Women and Transfeminine Spectrum Persons
March 2017
in “
Psychiatric Clinics of North America
”
TLDR Transgender women can develop feminine traits and improve their quality of life through hormone therapy and surgery, but results vary and access to surgery can be limited.
The 2017 document "Hormonal and Surgical Treatment Options for Transgender Women and Transfeminine Spectrum Persons" discussed the various hormonal and surgical options available for gender affirmation in transgender women. The feminizing hormone therapy, which includes antiandrogens and estrogen supplementation, leads to the development of feminine secondary sex characteristics and minimization of masculine characteristics. The results of this therapy greatly vary based on age, physiology, and individual genetics. The document also mentioned that maximum feminization may occur within 2 to 5 years of uninterrupted therapy. Surgical options, however, may be limited due to economic and structural barriers. A systematic review of three prospective cohort studies suggested that transgender women (n=180) reported a significant increase in general quality of life after initiating hormone therapy. However, the document emphasized the need for higher quality evidence, such as longitudinal controlled trials.
