Management of Transgenderism
February 2013
in “
JAMA
”
Studysummary This review discusses the therapeutic options for transgender individuals, including hormonal and surgical treatments, and reports no new clinical results; the authors highlight the need for more research on long-term effects.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document discussed the management of transgenderism, highlighting that it was poorly understood both mechanistically and clinically. Awareness had been increasing due to greater societal acceptance and available hormonal treatments. Therapeutic options included hormone and surgical treatments, though these could be limited by high costs and insurance coverage. For male-to-female (MTF) transitions, treatments included estrogens, finasteride, spironolactone, and GnRH analogs, along with various surgical options. For female-to-male (FTM) transitions, treatments included testosterone and GnRH analogs, with surgical options like mammoplasty and phalloplasty. Medical therapy could start in early puberty, but long-term effects were unknown. Counseling and medical monitoring were essential for all patients considering treatment.
