A nonspecific disturbance of the gonadostat in women with transsexualism and isolated hypergonadotropism in the male-to-female disturbance of gender identity.

Abstract

Principal parameters of gonadostat function were determined in 15 female-to-male (F-M) and 7 male-to-female (M-F) transsexual patients (T), all homosexuals. The data were compared with normal heterosexual controls of the respective sex. Anamnesis revealed prolongation of the menstrual cycles in F-M patients, mainly in those taking previously medication with depot-testosterone. However, also in patients with no previous medication the basal body temperature chart revealed anovulatory cycles (all 4 examined patients). In 8 of 9 patients (82.2%) with no previous medication an elevation of serum testosterone was found (63-600 ng/dl). No disturbances in gonadal functions were found in M-F group (semen analysis), serum testosterone was normal (328-710 ng/dl) except 1 case with reduced testosterone level (200 ng/ml). Both women and men with transsexualism revealed significantly higher mean basal serum concentration of LH in comparisons to controls (F-M: 23.14 +/- 16.16 vs 7.56 +/- 4.23; M-F 15.30 +/- 6.49 vs 5.75 +/- 3.66). No changes in basal serum FSH concentration were present. GnRH test (100 micrograms i.v.) revealed decreased evocability of LH in woman with T and exaggerated LH response in men with T. FSH hyperresponse to GnRH was nonsignificant in F-M and significant in M-F T. It is concluded that F-M transsexualism is associated with nonspecific disturbances of gonadostat since hypergonadotropism coexists with the signs of impaired gonadal function. In M-F T and isolated hypergonadotropism coexisted with specific, increased sensitivity of the pituitary to GnRH.