Prevalence of and factors associated with the use of gender-affirming hormonal therapy outside the reference regimen among transgender people in a community-led clinic in Metro Manila, Philippines: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to describe the gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) intake behaviour and regimen and the factors associated with the use of hormones inconsistent with reference GAHT regimen among transgender people in the Philippines.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Transgender community clinic in Metro Manila, Philippines from March 2017 to December 2019.

Participants: Gender-affirming care-seeking individuals of at least 18 years old, who self-identified as transgender or non-binary, and who self-reported current or previous use of GAHT at baseline consult.

Primary outcome measures: Reported drugs and/or administration routes not congruent with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standard of Care eighth edition were classified as hormone use outside the reference regimen.

Results: 253 transgender people reported current or previous intake of GAHT. Many trans women and transfeminine people (TWTFP; 58.9%, 86/146) reported using oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), whereas most trans men (TM; 73.8%, 79/107) reported injecting testosterone esters. Furthermore, 59.7% (151/253) used hormones outside the reference regimen, widely using OCP and anabolic steroids among TWTFP and TM, respectively. TWTFP (crude prevalence ratio, PR, 3.52; 95% CI 2.35 to 5.49) and those who take unprescribed GAHT (crude PR 2.37; 95% CI 1.08 to 6.68) were more likely to use hormones outside the reference regimen than TM and taking healthcare provider-prescribed GAHT, respectively. On adjusting for covariates, the prevalence of using hormones outside the reference regimen was approximately three times higher (adjusted PR 3.22; 95% CI 2.09 to 5.12) among TWTFP than TM.

Conclusion: Trans people act on their high unmet gender-affirming care needs by taking unprescribed GAHT, many outside the reference regimen. Structural changes in the health system are warranted, including strengthened community-based self-administration practices.

Keywords: Philippines; gender-affirming hormonal therapy; sex steroids; sexual and gender minorities; sexual medicine; transgender persons.