Transition memories: experiences of trans adult women with hormone therapy and their beliefs on the usage of hormone blockers to suppress puberty

G Giovanardi; P Morales; M Mirabella; A Fortunato; L Chianura; A M Speranza; V Lingiardi

doi:10.1007/s40618-019-01045-2

Transition memories: experiences of trans adult women with hormone therapy and their beliefs on the usage of hormone blockers to suppress puberty

J Endocrinol Invest. 2019 Oct;42(10):1231-1240. doi: 10.1007/s40618-019-01045-2. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Authors

G Giovanardi^{1

2}, P Morales³, M Mirabella³, A Fortunato³, L Chianura⁴, A M Speranza³, V Lingiardi³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. guido.giovanardi@uniroma1.it.
² Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy. guido.giovanardi@uniroma1.it.
³ Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy.
⁴ San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.

PMID: 30953318
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-019-01045-2

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years, an increasing number of specialized gender clinics have been prescribing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs to adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD) to suppress puberty. This paper presents qualitative research on the hormone therapy (HT) experiences of older trans-people and their views on puberty suppression. The main aim of this research was to explore the psychological aspects of hormonal treatments for gender non-conforming adults, including the controversial use of puberty suppression treatments.

Methods: Using a semi-structured interview format, ten adult trans-women were interviewed (mean age: 37.4) to explore their personal histories regarding GD onset and development, their HT experiences, and their views on the use of GnRH analogs to suppress puberty in trans-children and adolescents.

Results: the interview transcripts were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method from which several themes emerged: the onset of GD, childhood experiences, experiences with puberty and HT, views on the puberty suspension procedure, and the effects of this suspension on gender identity and sexuality.

Conclusions: The interviews showed that overall, the participants valued the new treatment protocol due to the opportunity to prevent the severe body dysphoria and social phobia trans-people experience with puberty. It seems that the risk of social isolation and psychological suffering is increased by the general lack of acceptance and stigma toward trans-identities in the Italian society. However, during gender transitions, they highlight the need to focus more on internal and psychological aspects, rather than over-emphasize physical appearance. This study gives a voice to an under-represented group regarding the use of GnRH analogs to suppress puberty in trans-individuals, and collected firsthand insights on this controversial treatment and its recommendations in professional international guidelines.

Keywords: Gender dysphoria; Hormone blockers; Hormone therapy; Puberty suppression; Transgender.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Culture*
Female
Gender Dysphoria / drug therapy*
Gender Dysphoria / epidemiology
Gender Identity
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / analogs & derivatives
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / therapeutic use
Hormone Antagonists / therapeutic use*
Hormone Replacement Therapy / psychology
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Memory / physiology
Middle Aged
Perception*
Puberty / drug effects*
Sex Reassignment Procedures
Sexual Maturation / drug effects
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transgender Persons / psychology*
Transsexualism / psychology*
Transsexualism / therapy
Young Adult

Substances

Hormone Antagonists
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone