TransCOVID: Does Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Play a Role in Contracting COVID-19?

J Sex Marital Ther. 2022;48(4):415-426. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.2000535. Epub 2021 Nov 21.

Abstract

Based on the possible effects of androgens on the course of COVID-19, it can be posited that Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) may affect the course of the disease in people with GD. We aimed to investigate the relationship between GAHT and contracting COVID-19, as well as the severity of the disease in individuals with Gender Dysphoria (GD). The single center, cross-sectional, web-based survey was completed by people with GD who received GAHT. The questionnaire contained three parts: a sociodemographic data form; a GAHT data form; a COVID-19-related data form. Of the 238 participants, 179 were individuals with female-to-male (FtM) and 59 male-to-female (MtF) GD. We detected that the risk of contracting COVID-19 increased 3.46 times in people with FtM GD, who had received testosterone therapy, in comparison to people with MtF GD, who received estrogen and anti-androgen therapy. Additionally, people with FtM GD who contracted COVID-19 had received longer testosterone therapy when compared to those who did not contract COVID-19. Our findings indicate that individuals with FtM GD who receive testosterone treatment within the scope of GAHT are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and that the clinicians who follow-up on GAHT should be more careful about this issue.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gender Dysphoria* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use
  • Transgender Persons*

Substances

  • Testosterone