The contraceptive and reproductive history and planning goals of trans-masculine adults: a mixed-methods study

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) 2019-12, Vol.100 (6), p.468-473
• Main Authors: Stark, Brett, Hughto, Jaclyn M.W., Charlton, Brittany M., Deutsch, Madeline B., Potter, Jennifer, Reisner, Sari L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contraception; Pregnancy; Surrogacy
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2019.07.146

This study aims to identify factors associated with the reproductive planning of trans-masculine adults. Between 2015 and 2016, providers enrolled 150 trans-masculine adults in a sexual health study assessing sociodemographics, social support, gender affirmation, sexual partnering, and reproductive history and planning. A brief clinical interview assessed contraceptive use and concerns. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between participant characteristics and three outcomes: current contraceptive use, lifetime pregnancy history and reproductive planning. Overall, 37.3% are currently using contraceptives; 5.3% have been pregnant; and 20.0% plan to have biological children (9.3% plan to become pregnant; 12.0% plan to use their oocytes with a surrogate). Participants are less likely to use contraceptives if they are students vs. not, have socially affirmed their gender vs. not and have a partner vs. are single. Greater number of sexual partners is associated with the increased odds of contraceptive use. Further, as social support increases, the odds of having been pregnant decreases. Participants with a nonbinary gender identity are more likely to want to become pregnant than those with a binary gender identity, whereas those who have socially affirmed their gender are less likely to want to become pregnant than those who had not. Finally, participants of color more commonly planned to use their oocytes with a surrogate than white participants. Sociodemographic, gender affirmation, social support and sexual partner factors are associated with contraceptive use and reproductive history among trans-masculine patients. Healthcare providers must be aware of the diverse reproductive histories and pregnancy goals of trans-masculine individuals in order to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare counseling and provision. More research is needed to better understand contraception and reproduction desires in trans-masculine individuals.