Inflammation as a Potential Mechanism Contributing to Sexual Functioning Following Initiation of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Purpose of Review Many transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people seek gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). While GAHT is generally safe and increases well-being, it is essential to accurately understand potential unintended effects and risk factors to better inform and manage treatment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current sexual health reports 2024-06, Vol.16 (2), p.104-118
Main Authors: Irvin, Molly K., Schutz, Dannielle, Lorenz, Tierney K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Androgens
Cisgender
Endocrinology
Estrogens
Gender dysphoria
Gender identity
Hormone replacement therapy
Inflammation
LGBTQ people
Lipids
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Metabolism
Non-binary gender
Physiology
Sexual disorders
Steroids
Stress
Surgery
Surgical outcomes
Topical Collection on Preclinical and Psychophysiology
Urology
Well being
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Summary:Purpose of Review Many transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people seek gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). While GAHT is generally safe and increases well-being, it is essential to accurately understand potential unintended effects and risk factors to better inform and manage treatment. This narrative review covers recent literature documenting changes in sexual function following the initiation of GAHT and explores inflammation as a potential mediator of these changes. Recent Findings Generally, the initiation of GAHT is correlated with increased sexual desire in transgender men and decreased sexual desire in transgender women, with time-limited effects that return to levels approaching baseline after about a year; there are also changes in inflammation markers that parallel this timeline. Findings on other aspects of sexual function (e.g., orgasm, pain, and sexual quality of life) are more limited. As there is evidence from cisgender populations that inflammation acts as a mechanism by which hormones influence sexual function, we propose applying this model to TGNC people taking GAHT. Summary Sexual function may change in TGNC patients receiving GAHT, and those changes may be influenced by inflammation. However, these changes often return to baseline as TGNC patients’ bodies adjust to a new hormonal equilibrium.
ISSN:1548-3584
1548-3592
1548-3592
DOI:10.1007/s11930-024-00385-2