Gender-Affirming Hysterectomies: Analysis of Temporal Trends and Characteristics Pre- and Post-Expansion of Health Care Coverage at a Large Integrated California Health Care System [ID 2683540

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite expansion of gender-affirming health care coverage in 2013, few studies have investigated temporal trends in gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) including hysterectomies. Our study aims to investigate the temporal trends of hysterectomies for transgender men and gender-diverse persons (TGD) compared to cisgender women between 2010–2012 and 2013–2019, and annually from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study on TGD and cisgendered patients, aged 18 and older, within Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) between 2010 and 2019. Data on demographics, surgical characteristics, concurrent procedures, and postoperative complications were extracted from electronic medical records. Bivariate comparisons were performed using chi-squared analysis for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. RESULTS: This study included 41,341 hysterectomies performed within KPNC between 2010 and 2019. Among all hysterectomies, 461 (1.1%) were for TGD. TGD who underwent hysterectomies were more likely to be younger, White, and nulliparous compared to their cisgender counterparts (P<.05). The incidence of hysterectomies remained similar in cisgender women—from 3,750 (99.7%) in 2010 to 4,361 (98.4%) in 2019. For TGD, the incidence of hysterectomies increased gradually—from 10 (0.3%) in 2010 to 70 (1.6%) in 2019, with the largest increase occurring from 40 (1.0%) hysterectomies in 2014 to 62 (1.5%) in 2015. After expansion of GAS coverage, hysterectomy rates increased eightfold from 55 (0.5%) in 2010–2012 to 406 (1.4%) in 2013–2019. CONCLUSION: Gender-affirming hysterectomies have increased substantially because of changes in GAS policies. Future data will evaluate trends of ovarian conservation during concurrent GAS hysterectomy.