Treatment Of Gender Dysphoria Research Articles

Urological focus on gender affirmation surgery.

Gender affirmation surgery plays an important role in the treatment of gender dysphoria. These procedures play a vital role in aligning individuals' physical characteristics with their gender identity, resulting in improved mental health and overall wellbeing. This article provides an overview of genital gender affirmation surgeries, focusing on the available options and appropriate referral criteria for general practitioners and surgeons. Gender affirmation surgery necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, emphasising patient readiness, clear surgical preferences, hormonal transition and modifiable risk factors. The two primary methods for assessing patient appropriateness, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines and the informed consent model, are discussed. This article summarises surgical options for both trans-male and trans-female individuals, outlining procedures, benefits and potential complications. Gender affirmation surgery is set to play an increasingly important role in the management of gender dysphoria. By understanding the available options and referral processes, primary care physicians will be able to optimise care for these patients.

Transidentité et dépsychiatrisation : enjeux éthiques. Enquête nationale auprès des psychiatres en formation

ObjectivesThis article focuses on the ethical issues surrounding gender-affirming care for transgender people (i.e. A person whose gender does not correspond to their sex assigned at birth), particularly the respect of the rights of transgender patients to autonomy during psychiatric evaluations. This topic gives leave to a deeper investigation into the principles of non-maleficence when diagnosing gender dysphoria and into the principles of justice when providing essential medical care for transgender people in France. Materials and methodsFirstly, a review of the literature was carried out in order to explore the historicity of sex, its definition and variations, and the concept of gender identity. To establish the latter's relationship to psychiatry, the evolution of gender dysphoria through psychiatric classifications and guidelines was reviewed, as well as the role of the psychiatrist in the process of gender-affirming treatment. A reflection was also carried out concerning the ethical issues of the medical care of trans people, through the autonomy of choice, beneficence and non-maleficence of access to the hormonal-surgical transition, and the societal issues involved in the evolution of the consideration of gender. A study was conducted via a websurvey and a questionnaire was sent to psychiatric residents completing their studies in France. A total of 70 respondents were included. The questionnaire asked residents to give their opinion on transgender people's right to autonomy (and how to respect them) during psychiatric assessments and psychological inputs. ResultsThe answers from the residents indicate that they are mainly in favor of upholding transgender people's right to autonomy, with an emphasis on their capacity and their right to self-determination. Conversely, 15% of the respondents viewed transgender identities as a mental disorder and were more in favor of a medicalized model of treating gender dysphoria. A psychiatric assessment prior to receiving gender-affirming care was still perceived as necessary in order to eliminate differential diagnoses and to evaluate the capacity for informed consent, however, this may be perceived as excessive pathologization for transgender people. On the other hand, this feeling of pathologization is perceived as diminished if this consultation is performed by a psychologist. These answers suggest the necessity of carrying out a comparison with the feelings of the concerned individuals, for a more ethical management of transidentity. ConclusionThe issue of meeting the demands of the transgender population is still being debated. It is legitimate to ask whether we can, under cover of their freedom of choice, let the persons concerned make the decision without having first undergone a medical evaluation, and whether the individual's autonomy must take precedence over potential irreversible negative outcomes. Through this study, it appears that the sampled psychiatry residents sense that those individuals seeking transgender care have the feeling of pathologization that is induced by a consultation with a psychiatrist before starting gender-affirming care. On the other hand, if the consultation is conducted by a psychologist this feeling of pathologization is less a factor. This assumption should obviously be affirmed with the concerned persons.

3D printing for an anterolateral thigh phalloplasty

BackgroundPhalloplasty procedures are performed to create a phallus, typically as a gender-affirming surgery for treating gender dysphoria. Due to the controversial nature of this specific procedure, more innovation is needed to directly assist surgical teams in this field. As a result, surgeons are left to improvise and adapt tools created for other procedures to improve surgical outcomes. This study developed a patient-specific 3D printed model from segmented computed tomography (CT) scans to accurately represent the relevant vasculature necessary for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap phalloplasty. The surgical procedure seeks to maintain intact vessels that derive from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, typically found traveling within the intermuscular septum between the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis.MethodsIn this study, we created and printed 3D models of the leg and vasculature using two techniques: (1) a standard segmentation technique with the addition of a reference grid and (2) a bitmap method in which the total CT volume is colorized and printed.ResultsThe results gathered included the physician’s view on the model’s accuracy and visualization of relevant anatomy. Bitmap-printed models resulted in a high amount of detail, eliciting surgeons’ undesirable reactions due to the excess of information. The hybrid method produced favorable results, indicating positive feasibility.ConclusionsThis study tested the ability to accurately print a patient-specific 3D model that could represent the vasculature necessary for ALT flap procedures and potentially be used in surgical reference and planning in the future. A surgeon performing phalloplasty procedures discussed their approval of both models and their preference for grid creation and application.

Gender-affirming hormone therapy in Portugal: knowledge, safety and adherence

Background: More research is needed to understand the knowledge, experiences, safety, and adherence of individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) for gender dysphoria treatment. Aim: To assess the knowledge of the Portuguese transgender population on GAHT about the therapy, examine the experiences of those who initiated it through the Portuguese National Health System, and evaluate the safety, monitoring and adherence to hormonal therapy. Methods: Cross-sectional study with Portuguese transgender adults who had hormonal therapy. Participants completed an original questionnaire that utilized an ordinal Likert-style scale that ranged from 0 (worst result) to 6 (best result) for most items. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to analyze both categorical and continuous variables. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: Participants’ knowledge on GAHT was rated with a median of 5 points, relying mostly on the internet for information. 14.1% felt insufficiently informed. 71.2% faced obstacles obtaining GAHT, with long waiting times being the most common. Feminizing therapy was significantly more expensive. Initial consultation was often with psychologists/sexologists, with endocrinologists commonly being the first providers of GAHT. 43.3% didn’t undergo informed consent and 11.3% had no pretreatment blood tests. Only 53.2% discussed fertility with medical professionals, and of those, only 8.0% opted for it. 79.6% regularly underwent routine analyses and 87.3% were followed up in medical appointments, mainly with an endocrinologist. 6.3% of participants discontinued therapy, mostly due to adverse effects and difficulty obtaining prescriptions. Discussion: Internet sources dominated as the main information channel for GAHT, emphasizing the importance of healthcare professionals guiding patients to reliable sources. Limited healthcare provider knowledge and access barriers were identified. Primary care physicians had limited involvement, raising safety concerns. Inadequate fertility counseling and follow-up in family medicine were found. Discontinuation of therapy and nonadherence highlighted the need for comprehensive care and monitoring.

Supporting autonomy in young people with gender dysphoria: psychotherapy is not conversion therapy

Opinion is divided about the certainty of the evidence base for gender-affirming medical interventions in youth. Proponents claim that these treatments are well supported, while critics claim the poor-quality evidence...

Gender dysphoria: Reconsidering ethical and iatrogenic factors in clinical practice.

To examine the treatment of gender dysphoria described in Bell v Tavistock (UK 2020). Bell documents the treatment and sequelae of a 16-year-old adolescent referred to the Tavistock with gender dysphoria. Her case highlights contrasts between gender affirming care and comprehensive care. Consistent with other western centres, in the 2010s, the Tavistock began treating patients with gender dysphoria under the 'Dutch protocol' for gender affirming care. Bell reveals concerning lapses of clinical governance influenced by activists and linked to patient harm. The recent suspension of a senior child psychiatrist from an Australian public hospital service after questioning the evidence base and ethical foundation of gender affirming care underlines the need to resolve these uncertainties to address the crisis in the treatment of gender dysphoria.

A New Flight from Womanhood? The Importance of Working Through Experiences Related to Exposure to Pornographic Content in Girls Affected by Gender Dysphoria

Parallel to the advent of social media and the easy access to online pornographic content there is a sharp increase in adolescent females expressing gender dysphoria worldwide. This paper argues that treatment of gender dysphoria in female adolescents must include explicit exploration into their use and exchange of pornographic content, as well as possible online or offline contacts with adults. Possible avenues of how pornographic content may increase the shame and fear of becoming a woman include the acquisition of misogynistic sexual scripts based on false assumptions on sexuality including the normalization of the violation of females as pleasurable for them, peer influence among female friendship groups, the susceptibility of our medical systems to “mass hysteria” phenomena, easier access of adults with sexually abusive intentions to youth through social media, sexual abuse and victim blaming on females, as well as the influence of pornography on mentalization capacities. As the influence of pornography on gender dysphoria in girls is understudied, this paper provides questions for qualitative and quantitative research, case studies and history taking. Especially the lack of an adequate other during exposure may aggravate false assumptions on gender roles and gender inequality seen in mainstream pornography. Girls affected by autism might be at higher risk because of their reduced mentalization capacities. Working through experiences associated with pornographic content and sexually abusive experiences may correct false beliefs about gender inequality and therefore might alleviate gender dysphoria.

Phenomenological Interview and Gender Dysphoria: A Third Pathway for Diagnosis and Treatment.

Gender dysphoria (GD) is marked by an incongruence between a person's biological sex at birth, and their felt gender (or gender identity). There is continuing debate regarding the benefits and drawbacks of physiological treatment of GD in children, a pathway, beginning with endocrine treatment to suppress puberty. Currently, the main alternative to physiological treatment consists of the so-called "wait-and-see" approach, which often includes counseling or other psychotherapeutic treatment. In this paper, we argue in favor of a "third pathway" for the diagnosis and treatment of GD in youths. To make our case, we draw on a recent development in bioethics: the phenomenological approach. Scholars such as Slatman and Svenaeus have argued that the extent to which the body can (or should be) manipulated or reconstructed through medical intervention is not only determined by consideration of ethical frameworks and social and legal norms. Rather, we must also take account of patients' personal experience of their body, the personal and social values associated with it, and their understanding of its situation in their life: their narrative identities. We apply this phenomenological approach to medicine and nursing to the diagnosis and treatment of GD in youth. In particular, we discuss Zahavi and Martiny's conception of the phenomenological interview, in order to show that narrative techniques can assist in the process of gender identification and in the treatment of youth presenting with GD. We focus on two case studies that highlight the relevance of a narrative-based interview in relations between patients, HCPs, and family, to expose the influence of social ideologies on how young people presenting with GD experience their bodies and gender.

The appeal in Bell v Tavistock and beyond: where are we now with trans children's treatment for gender dysphoria?

The appeal in Bell v Tavistock and beyond: where are we now with trans children's treatment for gender dysphoria?

A PRISMA systematic review of adolescent gender dysphoria literature: 3) treatment.

It is unclear whether the literature on adolescent gender dysphoria (GD) provides evidence to inform clinical decision making adequately. In the final of a series of three papers, we sought to review published evidence systematically regarding the types of treatment being implemented among adolescents with GD, the age when different treatment types are instigated, and any outcomes measured within adolescence. Having searched PROSPERO and the Cochrane library for existing systematic reviews (and finding none at that time), we searched Ovid Medline 1946 -October week 4 2020, Embase 1947-present (updated daily), CINAHL 1983-2020, and PsycInfo 1914-2020. The final search was carried out on 2nd November 2020 using a core strategy including search terms for 'adolescence' and 'gender dysphoria' which was adapted according to the structure of each database. Papers were excluded if they did not clearly report on clinically-likely gender dysphoria, if they were focused on adult populations, if they did not include original data (epidemiological, clinical, or survey) on adolescents (aged at least 12 and under 18 years), or if they were not peer-reviewed journal publications. From 6202 potentially relevant articles (post deduplication), 19 papers from 6 countries representing between 835 and 1354 participants were included in our final sample. All studies were observational cohort studies, usually using retrospective record review (14); all were published in the previous 11 years (median 2018). There was significant overlap of study samples (accounted for in our quantitative synthesis). All papers were rated by two reviewers using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool v1·4 (CCAT). The CCAT quality ratings ranged from 71% to 95%, with a mean of 82%. Puberty suppression (PS) was generally induced with Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone analogues (GnRHa), and at a pooled mean age of 14.5 (±1.0) years. Cross Sex Hormone (CSH) therapy was initiated at a pooled mean of 16.2 (±1.0) years. Twenty-five participants from 2 samples were reported to have received surgical intervention (24 mastectomy, one vaginoplasty). Most changes to health parameters were inconclusive, except an observed decrease in bone density z-scores with puberty suppression, which then increased with hormone treatment. There may also be a risk for increased obesity. Some improvements were observed in global functioning and depressive symptoms once treatment was started. The most common side effects observed were acne, fatigue, changes in appetite, headaches, and mood swings. Adolescents presenting for GD intervention were usually offered puberty suppression or cross-sex hormones, but rarely surgical intervention. Reporting centres broadly followed established international guidance regarding age of treatment and treatments used. The evidence base for the outcomes of gender dysphoria treatment in adolescents is lacking. It is impossible from the included data to draw definitive conclusions regarding the safety of treatment. There remain areas of concern, particularly changes to bone density caused by puberty suppression, which may not be fully resolved with hormone treatment.

Robotics in Gender Affirming Surgery: Current Applications and Future Directions.

Genital surgery for the treatment of gender dysphoria has undergone significant evolution since its inception in the first half of the 20th century. Robotic approaches to the pelvis allow for improved visualization and reduced abdominal wall morbidity, making the robotic surgical system a very useful tool in the gender affirming genital surgeon's armamentarium. In penile inversion vaginoplasty, robotically harvested peritoneal flaps can be used to augment the vaginal canal, thereby leading to improved vaginal depth, as well as improve operative efficiency by facilitating a two-surgeon approach. In transgender men, the robotic approach to vaginectomy assists with visualization to confirm complete obliteration of the vaginal canal. Robotic surgery will play a central role in the continued evolution of the field of gender affirming surgery.

Review of adult gender transition medications: mechanisms, efficacy measures, and pharmacogenomic considerations.

Gender dysphoria is the imparity between a person's experienced gender and their birth-assigned gender. Gender transition is the process of adapting a person's sexual characteristics to match their experienced gender. The number of adults receiving sex hormone therapy for gender dysphoria is increasingly and these pharmacotherapies are increasing being prescribed in a general practice setting. The role of hormone therapy is to reverse or reduce physical sexual characteristics of the birth-assigned gender and enhance and build characteristics aligning to the expressed gender and these therapies apply to both transgender and gender nonconforming patients. Recognizing the options and interpreting the effects of gender transition therapies are fundamental to the discussion and treatment of gender dysphoria. This review summarizes pharmacodynamics, comparative dosing, adverse effects, monitoring, and potential pharmacogenetic influence of current pharmacotherapy. These include the use of 17-beta-estradiol, spironolactone, testosterone, GnRH agonists as well as adjunctive phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. The article also addresses gaps within the published literature including optimal routes of administration for individual patients, risks of malignancy and dosing reductions as transgender patients age.

Models of Gender Dysphoria Using Social Media Data for Use in Technology-Delivered Interventions: Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing Validation Study.

The optimal treatment for gender dysphoria is medical intervention, but many transgender and nonbinary people face significant treatment barriers when seeking help for gender dysphoria. When untreated, gender dysphoria is associated with depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance misuse. Technology-delivered interventions for transgender and nonbinary people can be used discretely, safely, and flexibly, thereby reducing treatment barriers and increasing access to psychological interventions to manage distress that accompanies gender dysphoria. Technology-delivered interventions are beginning to incorporate machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to automate intervention components and tailor intervention content. A critical step in using ML and NLP in technology-delivered interventions is demonstrating how accurately these methods model clinical constructs. This study aimed to determine the preliminary effectiveness of modeling gender dysphoria with ML and NLP, using transgender and nonbinary people's social media data. Overall, 6 ML models and 949 NLP-generated independent variables were used to model gender dysphoria from the text data of 1573 Reddit (Reddit Inc) posts created on transgender- and nonbinary-specific web-based forums. After developing a codebook grounded in clinical science, a research team of clinicians and students experienced in working with transgender and nonbinary clients used qualitative content analysis to determine whether gender dysphoria was present in each Reddit post (ie, the dependent variable). NLP (eg, n-grams, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, word embedding, sentiment, and transfer learning) was used to transform the linguistic content of each post into predictors for ML algorithms. A k-fold cross-validation was performed. Hyperparameters were tuned with random search. Feature selection was performed to demonstrate the relative importance of each NLP-generated independent variable in predicting gender dysphoria. Misclassified posts were analyzed to improve future modeling of gender dysphoria. Results indicated that a supervised ML algorithm (ie, optimized extreme gradient boosting [XGBoost]) modeled gender dysphoria with a high degree of accuracy (0.84), precision (0.83), and speed (1.23 seconds). Of the NLP-generated independent variables, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) clinical keywords (eg, dysphoria and disorder) were most predictive of gender dysphoria. Misclassifications of gender dysphoria were common in posts that expressed uncertainty, featured a stressful experience unrelated to gender dysphoria, were incorrectly coded, expressed insufficient linguistic markers of gender dysphoria, described past experiences of gender dysphoria, showed evidence of identity exploration, expressed aspects of human sexuality unrelated to gender dysphoria, described socially based gender dysphoria, expressed strong affective or cognitive reactions unrelated to gender dysphoria, or discussed body image. Findings suggest that ML- and NLP-based models of gender dysphoria have significant potential to be integrated into technology-delivered interventions. The results contribute to the growing evidence on the importance of incorporating ML and NLP designs in clinical science, especially when studying marginalized populations.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy in the diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria

Relevance. In this article, we consider the possibilities of a psychodynamic psychotherapeutic approach in the diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria on the example of a clinical case. Gender dysphoria refers to the distress that may accompany a mismatch with the patient's biological sex and assigned gender. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of patients requesting the restoration of congenital anatomical sex characteristics due to regret after genderaffirmation surgery (GAS). Recent studies have shown that one of the key regrets after GAS is inadequate psychological and psychiatric evaluation in determining whether GAS is an indication.Case study. In this article, we explored how psychodynamic psychotherapy can be used to diagnose and treat disorders associated with gender dysphoria in the case of a 21-year-old man who presented with symptoms that met the diagnostic criteria for two conditions: unspecified gender dysphoria 302.85 (F64.1) and transvestic disorder with autogynephy 302.3 (F65.1) according to DSM-5. The main symptom appeared when the patient was at pre-school age and has been a constant concern ever since. The symptoms disappeared after psychodynamic psychotherapy, which lasted 11 months. Evaluation of psychotherapeutic effects 2 years after the completion of psychotherapy showed the stability of the results achieved.Conclusion. Based on our analysis, we concluded that the use of psychodynamic psychotherapy for patients with gender dysphoria helps recognize neurotic conflicts that may underlie transgender symptoms, and thereby reduce the likelihood of a diagnostic error in determining the presence of indications for GAS. Looking at cases of gender dysphoria in Balint groups can also be of great help in understanding the etiology of gender dysphoria symptoms.

Incidence of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in Individuals With Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue Treatment for Gender Dysphoria in Sweden

This cohort study examines the incidence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IHH) among individuals in Sweden undergoing gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) treatment for gender dysphoria.

Masculinizing chest wall gender-affirming surgery: Clinical outcomes of 73 subcutaneous mastectomies using the double-incision and semicircular incision techniques

Masculinizing chest wall gender-affirming surgery is an important element in the treatment of gender dysphoria. In this study, we report an institutional series of subcutaneous mastectomies and aim to identify the risk factors for major complications and revision surgery. A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent primary masculinizing top surgery via subcutaneous mastectomy at our institution through July 2021 was performed. Demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded as well as major complications and revision surgeries. Time-to-event analyses were performed to assess predictors of major complications and revision surgery. Seventy-three consecutive patients (146 breasts) were included. The mean age and the mean body mass index were 25.2±7 years and 27.6±6.5kg/m2, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 7.9±7.5 months. None of the patients had a history of chest wall radiation or breast surgery. Double incision with free nipple grafting was the most common technique (n=130, 89%), followed by periareolar semicircular incision (n=16, 11%). The mean resection weight was 524.7±377.7g. Concomitant suction-assisted lipectomy was performed in 48 (32.9%) cases. The rate of major complications was 2.7%. Revision surgery was performed in 8 (5.4%) cases. Concomitant liposuction was significantly associated with a lower rate of revision surgery (p=0.026). Masculinizing chest wall gender-affirming surgery is a safe procedure with a low rate of revision. Concomitant liposuction significantly reduced the need of revision surgery. Future studies utilizing patient-reported outcomes are still required to better assess the success of this procedure.

Journeying Through the Hurdles of Gender-Affirming Care Insurance: A Literature Analysis.

Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) has been proven to be successful in the treatment of gender dysphoria. The benefits of providing insurance coverage for transition-related surgeries far surpass the costs of suffering from persistent gender dysphoria, including many positive health outcomes such as decreased rates of substance use, psychiatric illness, and suicide. Despite being deemed a medical necessity, discrepancies in access to treatment and insurance coverage for GAS persist. The purpose of this review is to understand the impact of limited insurance coverage on the well-being of transgender patients. A comprehensive search was conducted utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in SCOPUS and PubMed databases using the terms "insurance" AND "gender affirming surgery." Articles in non-English languages were excluded. Data related to variations in insurance coverage for GAS in the United States were collected. Of the 67 articles reviewed, 29 met the inclusion criteria. When compared to the general population, individuals who identify as transgender have higher rates of being uninsured as of 2020, with only 30 states in the United States providing insurance coverage for transgender and gender non-binary people. Of the 30 states, only 18 provide coverage for GAS, with chondrolaryngoplasty having the highest prevalence of coverage. As evidenced in our review, the persistence of complex insurance regulations impedes transgender individuals' access to equitable care. Overall, this literature review elucidates the variability in insurance coverage as it relates to gender-affirming care. Furthermore, this review highlights the need for additional health policy reforms, in addition to improving physician awareness regarding the hurdles of navigating the insurance world as a transgender patient.

Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: Physical and Sociopsychological Effects, Impact and Satisfaction.

Background Gender dysphoria treatment includes gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Studies are still lacking on how tocharacterize its effects and impacton transgender people's lives more effectively. Aim To study the physical and psychological effects of GAHT on transgender individuals, assess its impact on their lives, and rate their overall satisfaction. Methods Participants (n = 114; ages 18-62 years; median age 24.0 (21.0 - 33.0) years) included transgender adultsresiding in Portugalwho were undergoing or had undergone hormonal therapy for at least one uninterrupted year. Participants completed an original questionnaire. For most items, an ordinal Likert-style scaleranging from 0 (worst result) to 6 (best result) was used. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests, including Pearson's chi-squared test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables, with a significance level set at 0.05. Outcomes The outcomes included desired physical changes rating (perception and satisfaction with changes); side effects of GAHT; the sociopsychological impact of GAHT (on self-esteem, body image, psychological wellbeing, social and family relations); overall satisfaction (with treatment results and medical follow-up). Results The changes classified as the most perceptible in those undergoing masculinizing treatment (Group M) were amenorrhea (6 (5.0-6.0) points) and clitoris enlargement (6 (5.0-6.0) points). These were also the ones rated as the most satisfactory (6 (6.0-6.0) points for amenorrhea and 6 (4.0-6.0) points for clitoris enlargement). On those undergoing feminizing therapy (Group F), the alteration voted as the most perceptible was sperm production decrease (6 (2.0-6.0) points), and the ones classified as the most satisfactory were sperm production decrease (6 (4.0-6.0) points) and spontaneous erections decrease (6 (5.0-6.0) points). Side effects were reported by 89.7% ofGroup M(mood swings were the most common) and 96.3% ofGroup F(decreased libido was the most frequent). The sociopsychological impact of hormonal treatment was significantly positive in all analyzed variables (p<0.001). Overall satisfaction with treatment results and medical follow-up were rated with 5 points and 4.5 points, respectively. Clinical implications This study provides clinicians with more evidence that GAHT may improve the physical, psychological and social health of transgender people seeking medical transition. Strengths and limitations The strengths of the current study include a high participant count relative to the target population, the acquisition of data on previously unexplored variables, and the significance of being one of the few investigations of its kind conducted in Portugal. However, the study has limitations, including differences in participant characteristics, a small sample size for some variables, potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study, individualized treatment regimens, and the inclusion of participants from different countries, which limit the generalization of the results. Conclusions This study provides further evidence that GAHT is effective, and that its physical effects are satisfactory while resulting in mostly non-severe nor life-threatening side effects. GAHT is an important therapy in gender dysphoria and has consistent results in improving numerous sociopsychological variables.

Leading Gillick Astray? An Analysis of the Law of Consent Relevant to Trans and Gender Diverse Minors and the Commencement of Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment

This article outlines and critiques the Australian jurisprudence that has addressed whether minors are able to lawfully consent to gender-affirming hormone treatment, with reference to the landmark decision of Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority. Although the principle of Gillick competency is well recognised in law, the Australian legal developments that apply Gillick to decisions about the commencement of gender-affirming treatment, have taken the principle astray. The approach under Australian law has diverged down a path that does not align with the original reasoning in Gillick, nor its contemporary interpretation. I outline the reasoning in Gillick so that the foundational principles are considered before discussing how Gillick has been interpreted and applied in subsequent cases. I then provide an outline of the key legal developments in Australia relevant to minors and the commencement of hormone treatment for gender dysphoria. I undertake a critique of the Australian law in this field and conclude that there is a need for future judicial determination of how Gillick should be applied, not only in the cases relevant to gender dysphoria, but beyond, so that the position in respect of minors’ decision-making is clarified. This is vitally important because the current approach to this issue has potential implications beyond cases relevant to gender-affirming hormone treatment.

Qualitative Assessment of the Experiences of Transgender Individuals Assigned Female at Birth Undergoing Gender-Affirming Mastectomy for the Treatment of Gender Dysphoria.

Evaluation and comparison of outcomes following gender-affirming mastectomy have been hindered by the lack of a validated population- and surgery-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of transgender individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) from before-to-after gender-affirming mastectomy to identify key qualitative themes that might inform the creation of a quantitative PROM in the future. Identified candidates were transgender men AFAB, 18-65 years of age (mean±standard deviation: 30.3±12.2), who had undergone gender-affirming mastectomy from 2015 through 2017 (n=53). Twelve individuals participated in either focus groups (6) or phone interviews (6), carried out in a semistructured fashion. Verbatim transcriptions were anonymized. Conventional content analysis was used to code all transcripts. Content analysis identified six key themes experienced by transgender men undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy. In contrast to their experiences before surgery, participant reported that after surgery they experienced fewer symptoms of gender dysphoria, lower anxiety associated with gender dysphoria, less fear about physical safety, no need to hide a female chest shape, and that they passed as male. Also explored were themes about experiences with the health care team. This study presents the first qualitative data based on the lived experiences of transgender individuals AFAB who underwent gender-affirming mastectomy. These qualitative themes should be heavily considered when creating a quantitative PROM that will fully capture the changes transgender individuals AFAB experience from before-to-after gender-affirming mastectomy.