Evaluation of Mental Health and Satisfaction Following Transfeminine Gender-Affirming Surgery in Thailand.

Abstract

Although many studies have shown that transgender women (TW) tend to have more depressive symptoms compared with the general population, the exact prevalence of major depressive disorder and contributing risk factors have not yet been studied, especially in those who have undergone gender-affirming genital surgery (GAS). Every TW aged 20-60 years attending transgender clinics in the Thai Red Cross Society for postoperative checkup were invited to complete a self-report questionnaire, including (1) demographic data, (2) the Thai Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), (3) satisfaction with psychosocial factors (relationship in family, friends, and society), sexual experiences and outcomes of gender-affirming treatments before and after GAS, and (4) contributing factors to depressive symptoms. Correlations between demographic data and depressive scores were tested. Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-GAS data. A total of 97 TW were analyzed, with 22.7% considered to have "major depression" (PHQ-9≥9) after GAS. Postoperative improvement in satisfaction with psychosocial factors and gender-affirming treatment outcomes were observed, especially in sexual experience. Depression severity was found to be negatively correlated with age and sexual satisfaction. Notably, presence of male characteristics before surgery, poor social support and understanding, and postoperative surgical complications were greatly considered as factors contributing to depressive symptoms. Compared with non-GAS TW, depression among those who underwent GAS in Thailand was lower but still significant and was linked to younger age and poor postoperative sexual experiences. These findings were supported by the number of qualitative assessments in the psychosexual domain and postoperative treatment outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration Number - TCTR20190904003.