Complexities in Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer in Female-to-Male Transgender Patients.

Introduction: Managing breast cancer in female-to-male (FtM) transgender patients is complicated and challenging. Androgens play a crucial role in the development of secondary sexual identity in FtM transgender patients, but their effectiveness in breast cancer remains unclear. Furthermore, the considerations for adjuvant endocrine therapy in this population are highly intricate and warrant thorough discussion. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 44-year-old FtM transgender diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years after initiating androgen receptor agonist therapy as part of his gender identity transition. After mastectomy, adjuvant endocrine therapy was initiated, consisting of a combination of an aromatase inhibitor and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, along with a cross-sex hormone. Conclusion: Estradiol levels were significantly reduced, and male-typical levels of sex hormones were attained.

Validation of the BODY-Q Chest module in Finnish trans men undergoing chest wall masculinization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of gender affirmation surgery is to ease gender dysphoria. In transgender men, chest wall masculinization is the most common gender affirmation surgery. The BODY-Q Chest module is currently the only instrument developed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in men undergoing chest wall surgery. Linguistic validation and cultural adaption to Finnish were performed previously. The study aims to validate the BODY-Q Chest module in transgender men who have undergone surgical chest wall masculinization. METHODS: All transgender patients who underwent chest wall masculinization at Helsinki University Hospital between 2005 and 2018 were invited to the study. The BODY-Q Chest module comprises two scales-chest and nipple. Data were obtained using the BODY-Q Chest module, the 15D questionnaire, and specifically targeted items designed by the authors. The statistical analyses were conducted to exclude selection bias, evaluate validity of the instrument, and compare it to other instruments. RESULTS: Of the 220 patients invited, 123 participated in the survey (response rate 56%). Ceiling effects were observed with 18.9% and 20.5% scoring maximum points. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 and 0.88 for the chest and nipple scales, respectively. In exploratory factor analysis, both scales loaded to one factor confirming unidimensionality. Correlation with the generic 15D questionnaire was low. CONCLUSIONS: The BODY-Q Chest module provides valid scores with sufficient consistency and reliability when measuring HRQL in transgender men undergoing chest wall masculinization. Moreover, it offers specificity that existing or generic instruments cannot provide. Ceiling effect was expected due to the postoperative status of participants.

Simultaneous Bilateral Ovarian Torsion in a Transgender Patient.

Ovarian torsions are a diagnostic challenge in the emergency room that result in significant morbidity when missed. Ovarian torsions have a low incidence and can present with atypical and variable symptoms. As such, recognition of ovarian torsion is a key skill that emergency clinicians must master. Typically, ovarian torsion is a unilateral finding but there have been cases of bilateral torsions noted previously in the literature. These rare cases tend to have higher morbidity making it even more important to recognize. This case is unique in that it was a transgendered patient developing synchronous bilateral ovarian torsions, which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described in the literature. This case illustrates the potential for unique presentations of this condition. We advise a high index of suspicion until more data, both objective and subjective gestalt, is known.

Comparison of Cervical Cancer Screen Results on Female-to-Male Transgender Patients With Female Patients.

OBJECTIVES: There are limited data on cervical screen results from female-to-male (FTM) transgender patients. Herein, we compiled demographic information and cervical screen testing on FTM transgender patients and compared with age-appropriate controls. METHODS: A search of our previous and current databases was performed for Papanicolaou (Pap) tests from patients taking testosterone and/or with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, transsexualism, or transvestism. Patient data were reviewed. Relative risks of abnormal Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection were calculated against age-matched controls. RESULTS: Eighty-nine Pap tests from FTM transgender individuals were identified, with a mean age of 31.3 years (range, 21-60 years). The Pap test diagnoses were distributed as follows: negative for intraepithelial lesion (n = 84, 94.4%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (n = 0), low-grade intraepithelial lesion (n = 4, 4.5%), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (n = 1, 1.1%). Fifty (56.2%) patients had concurrent high-risk HPV testing with four (8%) positive results. Relative risk was 0.625 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-1.59; P = .32) for an abnormal Pap test and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.19-1.52; P = .24) for HPV compared with 267 age-matched controls. Of note, 13.5% of patients older than 21 years had documentation of never having a prior Pap test in our medical record. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, FTM transgender individuals were not at a higher or lower risk of HPV infection or abnormal Pap test result compared with women. However, larger studies are needed to support our findings.

Perineal Cyst in Transgender Men: A Rare Complication Following Gender Affirming Surgery - A Case Series and Literature Overview.

INTRODUCTION: Genital gender affirming surgery (gGAS) is usually the final stage in the medical transition for transgender men and consists of creating a neophallus and neo-scrotum, with or without urethral lengthening(UL). To reduce the complication risks of UL, a mandatory colpectomy is performed prior to UL. Colpectomy is considered a complex surgery, which may lead to various perioperative complications. There are few long-term complications reported. AIM: To describe the clinical presentation and management of 3 consecutive transgender men presenting with a perineal cyst following gGAS. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent all clinical data was collected, including medical history, current symptoms, imaging, as well as surgery and histological outcomes. Furthermore, a literature search was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To hypothesize the aetiology of the perineal cyst based on current published literature. RESULTS: Three otherwise healthy transgender men, ages 26-46 with a similar medical history, presented with a perineal cyst several months or years following colpectomy and gGAS with UL. All patients underwent surgery to remove the cyst. Several theories regarding aetiology of this perineal cyst are discussed in this report. CONCLUSION: There remain several gaps in our knowledge regarding the aetiology and management of this perineal cyst. Therefore, further research is necessary. Asseler JD, Ronkes BL, Groenman FA, et al. Perineal Cyst in Transgender Men: A Rare Complication Following Gender Affirming Surgery - A Case Series and Literature Overview. J Sex Med 2021;9:100415.

Primary headaches among gender dysphoric female-to-male individuals: A cross-sectional survey on gender transition experience.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency, attack characteristics, and treatment experiences of migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) among gender dysphoric female-to-male (FtM) participants as well as in relation to psychiatric comorbidities and real-life experience that relates to being transgender in Turkey. BACKGROUND: There are only a few publications to date on transgender individuals with headache. Further studies to understand the distinctive needs might provide better management. METHODS: A total of 88 gender dysphoric FtM individuals (mean (SD) age: 24.8 (5.7) years) were included on a voluntary basis in this cross-sectional survey. Each participant filled out the questionnaire form that elicited items on sociodemographic characteristics, Gender Identity Transition Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Headache Questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 32/88 (36.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.0%-47.0%) participants were diagnosed with migraine, and 36/88 (40.9%; 95% CI: 31.5%-52.3%) participants were diagnosed with TTH. High rates of unemployment, smoking, and social drinking were observed in our sample compared with the general population in Turkey. The three-item ID migraine screener was positive in 20.5% (18/88 patients) of our population. Patients with migraine in comparison with patients with TTH had statistically significantly higher BDI [12.0 (1-50) vs. 7.0 (0-33); p = 0.013] and BAI [13 (1-48) vs. 5 (0-22); p = 0.016] scores, longer headaches in the past month [median 3 vs. 1 day; p < 0.001], higher Numerical Rating Scale scores for headache severity [7 (2-10) vs. 5 (1-9), p < 0.001], and higher likelihood of menstruation acting as a triggering factor [8/32 patients (25.0%) vs. 0/36 patients (0.0%); p = 0.001] as well as increased rates of previously given diagnosis by a physician [15/32 patients (46.9%) vs. 4/36 patients (11.1%); p < 0.001], a greater number of neuroimaging tests being performed [12/32 patients (37.5%) vs. 3/36 patients (9.1%); p = 0.012], and a higher rate of emergency room utilization [7/32 patients (21.9%) vs. 1/36 patients (2.8%); p = 0.039] for headache. CONCLUSIONS: In the FtM transgender population we investigated, migraine and TTH were quite common. The screening and early recognition of comorbid migraine, as well as the comorbid depression and anxiety, seem to be important in gender dysphoric FtM individuals. Further studies are needed to better understand the potential interaction of migraine with comorbid psychiatric disorders and the prevalence of headache types and gender-affirmative hormone treatment outcomes in the transgender population.

Breast cancer in a female to male transgender patient 20 years post-mastectomy: Issues to consider.

The incidence of breast cancer reduces by almost 90% after bilateral mastectomy. This applies also to female-to-male (FtM) trans-gender who undergo bilateral mastectomy as part of gender reassignment surgery (GRS). To date, there are only four reported cases in the literature on FtM transgender breast cancer. We present a case of a female-to-male transgender patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years after having bilateral mastectomy performed as part of GRS. We will describe all similar cases from literature and discuss some important issues related to transgender breast cancer.

Musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap for phalloplasty in female to male gender affirmation surgery.

PURPOSE: Despite a variety of free flaps that have been described for creation of the neophallus in gender affirmation surgery, none present an ideal solution. We evaluated our patients and outcomes after gender affirmation phalloplasty using musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi free flap. METHODS: Between January 2007 and May 2017, 129 female transsexuals, aged 20-53 years (mean 24 years) underwent total phalloplasty using latissimus dorsi free flap. Urethral lengthening was performed by combining a vaginal flap, labia minora flaps and a clitoral skin flap. Suitable sized testicular implants are inserted into the new scrotum. Penile prosthesis implantation, additional urethral lengthening and glans reshaping were performed in the following stages. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 43 months (ranged from 13 to 137 months). There were one partial and two total flap necrosis. The average size of the neophallus was 14.6 cm in length and 12.4 cm in girth. Total length of the reconstructed urethra during the first stage ranged from 13.4 to 21.7 cm (mean 15.8 cm), reaching the proximal third or the midshaft of the neophallus in 91% of cases. Satisfactory voiding in standing position was confirmed in all patients. Six urethral fistulas and two strictures were observed and repaired by minor revision. Malleable and inflatable prostheses were implanted in 39 and 22 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap is a good choice for phalloplasty in gender affirmation surgery. It provides an adequate amount of tissue with sufficient blood supply for safe urethral reconstruction and penile prosthesis implantation.

Quality of life of men and women with gender identity disorder.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-reported perceived quality of life (QoL) in female to male (FTM) and male to female (MTF) transgenders and compare it with a general population sample, and to find possible determinants that likely contribute to their QoL. METHODS: Participants were 71 trandgenders participating in the communities of Isfahan and Fars provinces, Iran, including 30 MTF and 41 FTM, and 142 gender- and age-matched controls. Persian version of the Short Form 36-Item Questionnaire was used to evaluate self-reported QoL, which measures QoL across eight domains. RESULTS: Compared to control group, the QoL of transgenders in the most dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire was lower. MTF had a lower QoL than FTM for the subscale physical functioning (p = 0.044). There was a significant relationship between education and subscales of emotional well-being (p = 0.048) and social function (p = 0.008); economic status and physical function subscale (p = 0.003); employment status and physical function (p = 0.012) and social function subscales (p = 0.003). Compared to male controls, MTF transgenders had lower physical functioning (P < 0.001), role limitation due to physical health (P = 0.015), vitality (P = 0.023), social functioning (P < 0.001) and pain score (P = 0.044) and no significant differences between female controls and FTM transgenders were seen. CONCLUSION: Transgenders have lower physical and mental QoL, FTM transgender has better QoL than MTF transgender. Employment, education, province of residence and economic status as well as therapeutic intervention is associated with transgender's QoL.

Terapia hormonal en la transición femenino a masculino (ftm), androgénica, para trans masculino o para hombre transgénero / Hormone Therapy in Female to Male Transition (FTM), Androgenic, Trans Male, or Transgender Male

RESUMEN La transexualidad, o el ser transgénero según la nomenclatura actual, describe a personas que persistentemente buscan ser aceptados como miembros del sexo opuesto, desean cambiar sus caracteres sexuales primarios y/o secundarios a través de intervenciones médicas tanto hormonales como quirúrgicas para feminizarse o masculinizarse. (Tabla 1) Esta discordancia entre su "sexo biológico" y "psicológico" genera estrés clínicamente significativo con rechazo profundo al cuerpo del sexo anatómico, al género asignado al nacer y, por ende, alteración persistente en el funcionamiento diario (mayor a 6 meses), se denomina disforia de género, sienten que nacieron en el "cuerpo equivocado". El objetivo de la intervención médica es mejorar la disforia de género y, por consiguiente, mejora el bienestar y la calidad de vida de las personas trans. En Revista de la Sociedad Chilena de Obstetricia y Ginecología Infantil y de la Adolescencia, recientemente hemos publicado dos artículos de revisión sobre la introducción a la Hormonoterapia en personas transexuales, objetivos de la terapia, transición en la adolescencia, y la transición masculino a femenino, por lo que éste escrito se concentrará sólo en la Terapia Hormonal de la transición femenino a Masculino (FTM), son personas que transitan de Mujer a Hombre, o transgénero masculino o trans masculino. (1,2)

ABSTRACT Transsexuality, or being transgender according to the current nomenclature, describes people who persistently seek to be accepted as members of the opposite sex, wish to change their primary and / or secondary sexual characteristics through both hormonal and surgical medical interventions to feminize or masculinize themselves. (Table 1) This discordance between their "biological" and "psychological" sex, generates clinically significant stress with profound rejection of the body of the anatomical sex, the gender assigned at birth and, therefore, persistent alteration in daily functioning (more than 6 months), is called gender dysphoria feel that they were born in the "wrong Body". The goal of medical intervention is to improve gender dysphoria and, consequently, improve the well-being and quality of life of transgender people. In the Journal of the Chilean Society of Obstetrics and Child and Adolescent Gynecology, we have recently published two review articles on the introduction of Hormonotherapy in transgender people, goals of therapy, transition in adolescence, and the male-to-female transition, so this paper will focus only on Hormonal Therapy of the female to male transition (FTM), are people who transit from woman to man, or male trans, male transgender. (1,2)

The Response of the Menstrual Cycle to Initiation of Hormonal Therapy in Transgender Men.

Purpose: Transition from female to male gender after initiation of hormonal therapy involves both phenotypic and physiological changes. The response to treatment can vary widely from person to person. In this study, we looked at the response of the menstrual cycle after the initiation of testosterone therapy and we wished to determine the time period and dose of testosterone leading to the cessation of menses in transgender men. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 114 transgender men (individuals assigned female gender at birth but later identify themselves as males) seen for hormonal therapy in our transgender clinic from 2006 through 2016. Results: Forty patients were excluded from the study as they were either not menstruating (19), started therapy elsewhere (13), had incomplete data (6), or were treated with transdermal testosterone (2). Of the 74 patients begun on low dose (20-40 mg weekly) intramuscular testosterone, 55% had cessation of menses within 6 months, 32% took more than 6 to 12 months, and 7% had not had complete cessation by 1 year and were prescribed progesterone (5% were given progesterone after menses had not ceased by 4 months for personal preference). The dose of testosterone correlated only loosely with the time of cessation (mean dose 40.1±8.1 mg/week for those <6 months and 56.1±12.0 mg/week for those who took 6-12 months). Conclusion: The initiation of low to moderate testosterone was sufficient in leading to menstrual cessation in the majority of patients by 6 months and nearly all by 1 year. There was individual variability in the time to cessation with little correlation to testosterone dose.

Transmasculine People's Voice Function: A Review of the Currently Available Evidence.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the currently available discursive and empirical data relating to those aspects of transmasculine people's vocal situations that are not primarily gender-related, to identify restrictions to voice function that have been observed in this population, and to make suggestions for future voice research and clinical practice. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive review of the voice literature. Publications were identified by searching six electronic databases and bibliographies of relevant articles. Twenty-two publications met inclusion criteria. Discourses and empirical data were analyzed for factors and practices that impact on voice function and for indications of voice function-related problems in transmasculine people. The quality of the evidence was appraised. RESULTS: The extent and quality of studies investigating transmasculine people's voice function was found to be limited. There was mixed evidence to suggest that transmasculine people might experience restrictions to a range of domains of voice function, including vocal power, vocal control/stability, glottal function, pitch range/variability, vocal endurance, and voice quality. CONCLUSIONS: More research into the different factors and practices affecting transmasculine people's voice function that takes account of a range of parameters of voice function and considers participants' self-evaluations is needed to establish how functional voice production can be best supported in this population.

Gender-related aspects of transmasculine people's vocal situations: insights from a qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts.

BACKGROUND: Transmasculine people assigned female gender at birth but who do not identify with this classification have traditionally received little consideration in the voice literature. Existing analyses tend to be focused on evaluating speaker voice characteristics, whereas other factors that contribute to the production of vocal gender have remained underexplored. Most studies rely on researcher-centred perspectives, whereas very little is known about how transmasculine people themselves experience and make sense of their vocal situations. AIMS: To explore how participants described their subjective gender positionings; which gender attributions they wished to receive from others; which gender they self-attributed to their voices; which gender attributions they had received from others; and how far participants were satisfied with the gender-related aspects of their vocal situations. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Transcripts of semi-structured interviews with 14 German-speaking transmasculine people served as the original data corpus. Sections in which participants described the gender-related aspects of their vocal situations and that were relevant to the current research objectives were selected and explored using qualitative content analysis. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The analysis revealed diverse accounts pertaining to the factors that contribute to the production of vocal gender for individual participants and variable levels of satisfaction with vocal gender presentation and attribution. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Transmasculine people need to be regarded as a heterogeneous population and clinical practice needs to follow a client-centred, individualized approach.

Transmasculine people's vocal situations: a critical review of gender-related discourses and empirical data.

BACKGROUND: Transmasculine people assigned female sex at birth but who do not identify with this classification have traditionally received little consideration in the voice literature. Some voice researchers and clinicians suggest that transmasculine people do not need attention because testosterone treatment leads to a satisfactory masculinization of their voice organs and voices. Others, however, argue that transmasculine people are a heterogeneous group whose members might not share the same body type, gender identity or desire for medical approaches to gender transitioning. Therefore, testosterone-induced voice changes may not necessarily meet the needs and expectations of all transmasculine people. AIMS: To evaluate the gender-related discursive and empirical data about transmasculine people's vocal situations to identify gaps in the current state of knowledge and to make suggestions for future voice research and clinical practice. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed academic and clinical literature was conducted. Publications were identified by searching seven electronic databases and bibliographies of relevant articles. Thirty-one publications met inclusion criteria. Discourses and empirical data were analysed thematically. Potential problem areas that transmasculine people may experience were identified and the quality of evidence appraised. MAIN CONTRIBUTION: The extent and quality of voice research conducted with transmasculine people so far was found to be limited. There was mixed evidence to suggest that transmasculine people's vocal situations could be regarded as problematic. The diversity that characterizes the transmasculine population received little attention and the complexity of the factors that contribute to a successful or unsuccessful vocal communication of gender in this group appeared to be under-researched. While most transmasculine people treated with testosterone can expect a lowering of their pitch, it remains unclear whether the extent of the pitch change is enough to result in a voice that is recognized by others as male. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: More research into the different factors affecting transmasculine people's vocal situations that takes account of the diversity within the population is needed.

The Necessary & Method of Scrotoplasty in Female to Male Transgender

PURPOSE: Transgender is a disorder of gender identity, who have appropriate chromosomal, hormonal and anatomical characteristics corresponding to their sexual phenotype but feel strongly with respect to their sexual identity, that they belong to the opposite sex. There is a persistence discomfort and sense of inappropriateness about one's assigned sex in a person who has reached puberty. Transgender is a psychiatric problem, but surgical method provides more satisfactory adjustment for patients. In gender reassignment surgery for female to male transgender, mastectomy, nipple reduction, hysterectomy, oophorectomy and phalloplasty are included. And as the final operation, recommended for scrotoplasty and artificial testes insertion. So we investigated the necessity and method of scrotoplasty in the final operation of female to male transgender. METHODS: The authors have long term follow-up of 75 cases female to male transgender from January 1991 to February 2008. Among them, 13 cases were evaluated in this study. During phalloplasty, the labium major skin preserved. And this labium majoral skin flap was made for the neoscrotum. At least six months later, artificial testes were inserted in neoscrotum with local anesthesia. Middle sized(3cm diameter) artificial testes(silicon gel or carving soft silicone implant) were used because of the limitation of the neoscrotum. We evaluated the questionnaire and interview about the postoperative satisfaction in configuration of reconstructed scrotum, and the necessity of operation, the postoperative psychosocioeconomic improvement and limitation of body exposure activities such as swimming, public bathing. RESULTS: Based on this study, satisfaction of reconstructed scrotum after scrotoplasty was improved(92%). The necessity of scrotoplasty was in 92.3% and the postoperative psychosocioeconomic well-being improvement was 77% in answers. Less limitation of activities requiring body exposure was 54% in answers. Most of the patients were satisfied with the results of surgical operation despite of some postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: This study reports that the scrotoplasty in female to male transgender is not only a conversion of external genitalia but also an improvement of psychosocial state. As most of the patients sincerely hope to take this operation, we improve our surgical method for more good results.