The role of androgens in transgender medicine
File(s)
Author(s)
Dimakopoulou, A
Millar, OD
Moschonas, D
Jayasena, CN
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
Online Publication Date
2023-01-20T00:01:37Z
Date Acceptance
2022-01-01
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
http://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521690X22000045?via%3Dihub
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35120800
S1521-690X(22)00004-5
Grant Number
PDF-2017-10-098
Subjects
androgen
efficacy
safety
testosterone
transgender
Adult
Androgens
Estrogens
Female
Hemoglobins
Humans
Male
Retrospective Studies
Testosterone
Transgender Persons
Humans
Testosterone
Hemoglobins
Androgens
Estrogens
Retrospective Studies
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Male
Transgender Persons
androgen
efficacy
safety
testosterone
transgender
Publication Status
Published
Country
Netherlands
Article Number
ARTN 101617
Date Publish Online
2022-01-21