Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Gender-affirmative Measures on Breast Perception in Trans Men

Breast dysphoria in transmasculine or genderdiverse individuals is a distinct psychological burden associated with depression, anxiety and suicidality. The aim is to systematically investigate the effect of GAHT (gender-affirming hormone therapy) and mastectomy on this form of dysphoria. The primary objective of this study is to analyse and investigate the psychological and physical effects of breast development on trans men or genderdiverse individuals. A secondary objective is to determine the extent to which the stress affects the well-being of trans men depending on the coping strategies used (binding vs. taping).

Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy and Immune Function in Trans Individuals - The GIFT Study

Our immune systems protect us from infection but can also cause disease, for example by attacking our own bodies (autoimmune disease), or driving chronic inflammation in conditions such as heart disease. The immune systems of men and women function differently, as evidenced by differing rates of disease with autoimmune disease being more common in women whilst men are more susceptible to infection. We don't know why these differences exist, but if we could understand we may be able to develop new treatments to treat or prevent immune driven diseases. So far, we know that both sex chromosomes and hormones affect how the immune system functions, but not the exact contribution of each or how they interact. One way to study this is to work with transgender people. Transgender people identify as a gender different from their sex assigned at birth and some may choose to take the sex hormones of the gender they identify with, which is known as gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Given that these changes affect their sex hormone profile and not their chromosomes, any changes in their immune system would be driven by hormones only. This would help us understand not only how sex hormones shape the immune system more generally, but also the disease risk in transgender people and enable better patient counselling. In this study, transgender patients starting on GAHT at 56 Dean Street clinic in London would be invited to donate blood samples before starting therapy, at 1 month (optional) and at 3 and 6 months. These samples would be analysed at the Laboratory of Medical Sciences to examine how the different types of immune cells change with therapy and how they respond to different immune triggers (stimuli). We aim to recruit 500 individuals and anticipate the study will last up to 3 years.

Cardiometabolic Health in Transgender Males

Transgender individuals are those with a gender identity opposite the sex they were assigned at birth. Approximately 1% of the population is transgender, equating to \~60,000 transgender Wisconsinites. A transgender boy or man is someone with a 46,XX karyotype and typical female genitalia but a male gender identity and desire for more male-typical gender expression. Gender-affirming testosterone (hormonal) treatment (GAHT) is the cornerstone of masculinizing therapy for transgender men and boys, resulting in estrogen (E2) suppression and circulating testosterone (T) levels equivalent to cisgender males. Historically, GAHT was initiated after an E2-driven puberty, but the last decade has seen an explosion of referrals for GAHT in transboys, many of whom are exposed to only low E2 levels before puberty is halted with blocker therapy. Knowledge of risks incurred by GAHT rely on low-quality studies, precluding conclusive assessment of GAHT's long-term impact on cardiometabolic outcomes. Data on transboys receiving GAHT before completion of E2-driven puberty are sparser and no studies have addressed mechanisms by which GAHT may affect vascular physiology. The investigators aim to determine the cardiometabolic impact of GAHT in transboys/men and to determine if any differences identified are mechanistically dependent on the timing of GAHT relative to puberty.

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in the Setting of Gender-affirming Therapy

The goal of this study is to learn about fertility preservation in the gender-diverse community. The main objectives it aims to understand are to: 1. To optimize techniques for cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, including determining efficacy of cryopreservation techniques. 2. To investigate factors affecting ovarian tissue and follicles, such as previous treatment with leuprolide acetate, or hormone therapy

Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation in the Setting of Gender-Affirming Therapy

The goal of this study is to learn about fertility preservation in the gender-diverse community. The main objectives it aims to understand are to: 1. Optimize techniques for processing and cryopreserving testicular tissue. 2. Determine presence and number of germ cells (sperm precursors) in the patients' testicular tissue. 3. Develop next generation cell- and tissue-based therapies for preserving fertility and treating infertility.

Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Screening in Patients Seeking Gender-Affirming Hysterectomy

This study aims to quantify the rates of cervical cancer screening and endometrial sampling prior to gender-affirming hysterectomy, assess the need for these tests in TGD individuals, and explore patient-centered options for these tests. By assessing the status of testing and correlation with hysterectomy pathology, this study will provide preliminary data on the current state of guideline-concordant care and provide initial evidence for the development of evidence-based guidelines in the future

Puberty, Testosterone, and Brain Development

Transmasculine youth (female sex assigned at birth, male gender identity) who begin clinical gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) with testosterone (T) may experience changes in headache. Researchers think this because studies published on effects of giving testosterone to cisgender females (female sex, female gender identity) and transmasculine adults seem to show an effect on pain. This research will help us learn more about changes in headache and in brain structure and function in transmasculine youth during the first two years of T. Youth who will be starting T within 6 months, either on puberty blocker or not, as part of their regular medical care can participate and will be asked to attend 4 visits: * before starting T * after 6 months on T * after 1 year on T * after 2 years on T At the visits, they will be asked to: * answer questions and surveys about their health * have a brain MRI done * give a small sample of blood and at their first visit, complete a physical exam. Some participants can also do a brief test of pain sensitivity. All participants will be asked to complete a headache diary for the first 6 months, for 1 month after the 1 year visit, and for 1 month after the 2 year visit.

Changes in Energy Expenditure (EE) in Transsexuals Undergoing Hormonal Therapy

Examining Metabolic Rate in Transgender individuals before starting hormonal treatment and 6-12 months after initiation

China Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy Study

Data about transgender medical care, especially the gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is extremely insufficient in China. Few evidence exists in the physical and psychological effects of the hormonal treatment in Chinese transgender population. CGAHT is designed to describe the social and mental condition of transgender people who are seeking for formal GAHT, and to investigate the physical and psychological effects of GAHT on this population in China.

The Effect of Tucking on Semen Quality of Adult Trans Women

Because gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) can lead to fertility impairment, current guidelines and treatment recommendations require that patients be informed about the possibility of fertility preservation prior to initiating GAHT. A recent review by our working group analyzed the current data on fertility and fertility preservation in transgender and gender diverse people. Several studies were identified that evaluated semen quality before and during GAHT in trans women compared to reproductive men. All studies showed a significant reduction in semen quality even before GAHT. In addition, one study found evidence that constant wearing of tight underwear and tucking was associated with a reduction in motile sperm concentration to \<5 mill/ml. Tucking is a method of avoiding crotch bulge through the penis and testicles by placing the penis backwards between the legs and optionally pushing the testicles into the groin canals. These positions are fixed with tight-fitting underwear or gaffs. Whether tucking or the wearing of tight underwear is the determining factor for impaired semen quality even before the start of GAHT and whether there is reversibility remains unclear and will be investigated in the present study. The study is designed as a prospective case-control study with a total sample size of n = 40 trans women. All patients with gender incongruence presenting to the University Clinic for Gynecology, Endocrinology and Reproduction Innsbruck before starting GAHT are eligible to participate. Trans women (n = 20) who practice tucking or wear tight underwear will be included and trans women (n = 20) who do not practice tucking will be included as a control group. At Time 1, after 2-7 days of abstinence, all participants will provide a semen sample for a spermiogram, a venous blood sample will be taken, and quality of life will be assessed using a questionnaire. The frequency and duration of tucking or wearing tight underwear, ejaculation frequency, demographic data such as BMI, nicotine use, alcohol and drug use, medication use, underlying medical conditions, previous surgeries, etc. are also recorded. Participants in the study group are then asked to abstain tucking for at least 73 days. After 2-7 days of sperm abstinence, another semen sample is taken at time 2, a venous blood sample is taken, and quality of life is assessed. At this point, depending on the participant's wishes, there is the option of sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation prior to starting GAHT. Spermiograms are performed under standardized conditions according to current WHO guidelines.

Sex-differential Host-microbiome CVD Risk - A Longitudinal Cohort Approach

The XCVD study investigates the influence of sex hormones on the composition of the gut microbiome and the possible emergence of cardiovascular risk factors. It will follow 200 healthy transgender individuals for two years during their hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and analyze them for the possible emergence of cardiovascular risk factors in relation to changes in the gut microbiome, metabolome, and immunome. We would also like to phenotype cardiovascular disease.