Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy for Transgender Men

October 2018 in “ Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology ”

Molly B. Moravek

testosterone therapy testosterone formulations testosterone administration routes adjunctive hormonal therapies physical changes side effects cardiovascular health bone density reproductive systems cancer risk fertility preservation testosterone hormone therapy fertility

Studysummary This study suggests that gender-affirming testosterone therapy in transgender men is generally safe and effective with adequate screening and monitoring, although high-quality long-term studies are lacking.

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research Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

2170 citations , September 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This updated guideline from the Endocrine Society highlights the importance of endocrinologists in providing safe and effective hormone regimens for gender-affirming care, especially for adolescents who have entered puberty.

research Testosterone Therapy for Transgender Men: Effects and Safety

162 citations , April 2016 in “The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology”

This review discusses the effects of testosterone therapy for transgender men, noting desired outcomes and potential risks, but reports no new research findings; the authors highlight a lack of high-quality data due to various study limitations.

research Safety Concerns Regarding 5α Reductase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

33 citations , April 2015 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity”

This review discusses the potential persistent adverse effects associated with 5α reductase inhibitor treatment for androgenetic alopecia but provides no new clinical results; it emphasizes the importance of discussing these risks with patients.

research Endocrine Care of Transpeople Part I: A Review of Cross-Sex Hormonal Treatments, Outcomes, and Adverse Effects in Transmen

45 citations , March 2015 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This article reviews the use of cross-sex hormonal therapy in transmen and reports that it is reasonably safe, suggesting monitoring should be frequent initially but can be less frequent over time.

research Gonadal Suppressive and Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy for Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults

25 citations , September 2014 in “Pharmacotherapy”

This review covers cross-sex hormone therapy for gender dysphoria, noting improvements in psychological symptoms and quality of life but lacking definitive long-term safety data.

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

research 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

204 citations , May 2014 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This study concluded that current cross-sex hormone treatments for trans men and trans women are effective with a low risk of side effects in the short term, though they did observe specific clinical changes.

research Short- and Long-Term Clinical Skin Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Trans Men

110 citations , October 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This study found that testosterone therapy in trans men increased facial and body hair growth while the prevalence and severity of acne peaked at 6 months but were primarily mild after long-term treatment.

research Care of the Transgender Patient: The Role of the Gynecologist

86 citations , May 2013 in “American journal of obstetrics and gynecology”

This article reviews the care of transgender patients, encompassing diagnosis, treatment options, and challenges in health care access, but does not present new research findings; the authors emphasize the critical role of providers in addressing transgender health needs.

research Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People, Version 7

2295 citations , August 2012 in “The international journal of transgenderism/International journal of transgenderism”

This publication reviews the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's Standards of Care for supporting transgender and gender nonconforming people, with adjustments needed for diverse global contexts and no new clinical results.

research Effects of Intramuscular Testosterone Undecanoate on Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density in Female-to-Male Transsexuals

105 citations , June 2010 in “The journal of sexual medicine”

In this study, female-to-male transsexuals treated with long-acting testosterone undecanoate experienced an increase in lean mass but no change in fat mass or bone mineral density over 24 months.

research Androgen Therapy in Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

282 citations , October 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This review discusses guidelines for androgen use in women and concludes that more research is needed before recommending testosterone due to insufficient evidence on safety and efficacy.

research Established Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Are Unrelated to Androgen-Induced Baldness in Female-to-Male Transsexuals

57 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

This study found no support for the idea that male-pattern baldness in female-to-male transsexuals indicates an increased risk of coronary heart disease through androgenic effects on classic risk factors.

research Androgens and Cardiovascular Disease

658 citations , June 2003 in “Endocrine reviews”

This review discusses the role of androgens in the progression of cardiovascular disease and explores novel therapeutic targets without reporting new clinical results.

research Effects of Sex Steroid Deprivation and Administration on Hair Growth and Skin Sebum Production in Transsexual Males and Females

176 citations , August 2000 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

In this study, cross-sex hormone therapy affected hair growth patterns differently, with estrogen reducing hair growth in male-to-female transsexuals and testosterone increasing it in female-to-male transsexuals; however, male typical hair diameters were not fully reached in the latter group after 12 months.