The role of androgens in transgender medicine
File(s)
Author(s)
Dimakopoulou, Anastasia
Millar, Ophelia D
Moschonas, Dimitrios
Jayasena, Channa N
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Androgen therapy is the mainstay of treatment in female to male (FtM) transgender persons to increase testosterone levels, suppress oestrogens and treat gender dysphoria. Testosterone is widely used for male hypogonadism, but is comparatively under-investigated in FtM transgender persons. The aim of our study was to identify treatment and safety outcomes associated with testosterone use in transgender medicine. Androgens in FtM transgender persons are effective to lower voice frequency, increase facial hair-growth, and increase hematocrit and hemoglobin levels to adult male reference ranges. A 1.2-fold-3.7-fold higher rate of myocardial infarction has been reported retrospectively, compared to cisgender women. Blood pressure, glycaemic control and body mass index remained unchanged in FtM transgender persons. Androgens in FtM transgender persons have important cardio-metabolic implications. Randomised control trials, longer follow-up periods and studies involving older persons may further improve the management of FtM transgender persons.
Date Issued
2022-09-27
Date Acceptance
2022-01-01
Citation
Best Practice and Research: Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2022, 36 (5)
ISSN
1521-690X
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Best Practice and Research: Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume
36
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sponsor
National Institute for Health Research
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35120800
PII: S1521-690X(22)00004-5
Grant Number
PDF-2017-10-098
Subjects
androgen
efficacy
safety
testosterone
transgender
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Netherlands
Article Number
ARTN 101617
Date Publish Online
2022-01-21