Reproductive functions and fertility preservation in transgender women: a French case series

Fertility in transgender and gender diverse people: systematic review of the effects of gender-affirming hormones on reproductive organs and fertility

BACKGROUND

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people seek gender-affirming care at any age to manage gender identities or expressions that differ from their birth gender. Gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) and gender-affirming surgery may alter reproductive function and/or anatomy, limiting future reproductive options to varying degrees, if individuals desire to either give birth or become a biological parent.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

TGD people increasingly pursue help for their reproductive questions, including fertility, fertility preservation, active desire for children, and future options. Their specific needs certainly require more insight into the effects of GAHT on gonads, gametes, and fertility. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the impact of GAHT on gonads, gametes, fertility, fertility preservation techniques, and outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

This review was registered in the PROSPERO registry under number CRD42024516133. A literature search (in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) was performed with a medical information specialist until 15 November 2024.

OUTCOMES

In all TGD people using GAHT, histological changes have been reported.Using testosterone GAHT, ovarian cortical and stromal changes were reported by various studies. In most studies, persistent activity in folliculogenesis can be concluded based on the descriptions of the follicle count, distribution, and oocyte retrieval yield. However, there may be a negative effect on the fertilization rate in the presence of testosterone. Reports of successful ovarian stimulation, fertilization, pregnancies, and live births have been published, describing cases with and without testosterone discontinuation.After using oestrogen GAHT, testes are reported to be more atrophic, including smaller seminiferous tubules with heavy hyalinization and fibrosis. Spermatogenic levels varied widely from complete spermatogenesis to meiotic arrest with spermatids, to spermatogonial arrest, Sertoli cells only, or even tubular shadows. Oestrogen and anti-androgen treatment causes higher proportions of sperm abnormalities (i.e. low total sperm count, low sperm concentration, poor sperm motility) or azoospermia. However, after cessation, this may be restored.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Although knowledge of the effect of GAHT is growing, blind spots remain to be uncovered. Therefore, additional research in this specific population is needed, preferably comparing outcomes before and after the start of GAHT. This may help to reveal the pure impact of GAHT on reproductive functioning. Research suggestions also include investigations into the reversibility of the GAHT effect, especially for those who start transition at a young age. Looking carefully at the presented data on GAHT effects on gonads and gametes, the correct advice is to assess and reassess reproductive wishes and preferences repeatedly, and also to explore individual fertility preservation needs during gender-affirming treatment, given the expanding knowledge and therapy opportunities. Finally, concerns regarding long-term health outcomes and quality of life of children born by the use of gametes preserved after exposure to GAHT require prospective follow-up studies.

[Fertility preservation in persons with gender incongruence and male-assigned sex at birth]

According to current guidelines, patients with gender incongruence seeking treatment must receive appropriate education and counselling from healthcare professionals on the various options for fertility preservation. Gender-affirming hormonal treatment leads in persons assigned male at birth to a reduction of LH, FSH, and testosterone, which is associated with a regression of spermatogenesis (up to complete loss) and subsequent testicular atrophy. Individuals starting gender-affirming hormonal treatment after having experienced male puberty may provide an ejaculate sample for sperm cryopreservation. In cases where no sperm is detected in the ejaculate due to gender-affirming hormonal treatment, or if the sampling of ejaculate is no longer possible or causes excessive psychological distress, (microsurgical) testicular sperm extraction [(m)TESE] should be offered. Electroejaculation under anaesthesia is rarely effective, as hormonal treatment impairs spermatogenesis. Similarly, microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) is not typically effective for the same reason. If adolescents with gender incongruence undergo puberty blockade and/or gender-affirming hormonal treatment at an early stage of puberty (possible from Tanner stage 2), this prevents the maturation of spermatogonial stem cells into mature sperm. Puberty blockade with GnRH reduces the secretion of LH and FSH by the pituitary gland, which, in turn, suppresses the production of testosterone in the Leydig cells and the stimulation of spermatogenesis in the testicles. In such cases, the cryopreservation of spermatogonial stem cells is possible, similar to how it is offered in some countries for peri-pubertal patients prior to necessary germ cell-toxic treatments. In Germany, there is a relevant network (Androprotect), which was founded in Münster in 2012. Via Androprotect, this procedure is also offered for adolescent individuals with gender incongruence. This approach is considered experimental as no established treatment exists for the refertilisation of affected adults at a later stage, although several procedures for in-vitro sperm maturation and tissue transplantation are under development. The care of patients with gender incongruence should include individual counselling provided by experienced professionals in an interdisciplinary treatment team. Individual treatment approaches should be offered to facilitate shared decision-making (based on informed consent) to ensure that each individual can make an informed and appropriate decision regarding fertility preservation.

Reproductive functions and fertility preservation in transgender men: A French case series

BACKGROUND

Transgender men face reproductive challenges due to the potential impact on fertility of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and surgical interventions. Testosterone therapy during "female to male" transition leads to anovulation and amenorrhea. Although these effects are typically reversible upon stopping treatment, the long-term effects of androgens on future fertility and health of potential children remain poorly known. Despite being long overlooked, the desire for parenthood is a significant reality among transgender men. Advances in medical techniques and legislative changes now make fertility preservation (FP), primarily through oocyte cryopreservation, possible for transgender men. Yet, published data on FP outcomes for this population are still limited.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective study to compare ovarian stimulation outcomes between transgender men and presumed fertile women from an oocyte donation program.

RESULTS

Between June 2018 and February 2022, 118 transgender men were referred to the FP consultation, of whom 13 ultimately underwent FP through oocyte vitrification following ovarian stimulation. These 13 individuals were compared to a control group of 13 matched female oocyte donors. We did not observe any significant difference in the clinical and biological outcomes of ovarian stimulation, including duration of stimulation, total FSH dose administered, number of oocytes retrieved, and number of mature oocytes obtained.

CONCLUSION

Our experience suggests that FP through oocyte vitrification after ovarian stimulation is feasible and effective for transgender men, with outcomes comparable to those of cisgender women of the same age. Larger studies are necessary to validate these findings and assess the long-term success rates.

Endocrine management of transgender adolescents: Expert consensus of the french society of pediatric endocrinology and diabetology working group

INTRODUCTION

Requests for hormonal transition in minors are increasing. To date, there is no national recommendation to guide these practices in France. Therefore, the SFEDP (French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology) has commissioned a group of experts to draft the first national consensus on this topic.

METHOD

Each chapter was prepared by one to three authors who conducted a literature review, and it was then reviewed and revised by the group as many times as necessary to achieve a consensus position. The final document was reviewed by a group of external experts.

RESULTS

A consensus position was reached regarding the multi-professional nature of support for trans youth, the prescription of molecules aimed at inhibiting endogenous hormone secretion, and the use of gender-affirming hormone therapies, as well as the importance of offering gamete preservation. Non-hormonal aspects of support and various considerations, including ethical ones, were also discussed.

CONCLUSION

This work constitutes an initial set of recommendations for professionals involved in the hormonal transition of trans youth. Additional recommendations under the auspices of the French High Authority for Health would be worthy of being drafted, involving all relevant stakeholders to establish comprehensive official national guidelines that would secure the support and rights of these young individuals, especially those under 16 years old, as well as the professionals involved in their care.

Restructuring healthcare services, routines and procedures on reproductive medicine based on respect for differences

Although the term homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases and trans identities from mental disorders, these classifications promote the pathologizing of homosexuality. The direct consequence is discrimination, which adds to the difficulty in carrying out accurate information related to the LGBT population and makes it very difficult to organize public policies suited to their needs. An important issue is related to the limited access of that population to assisted reproduction techniques, when compared to traditional families. The desire for same sex couples and transgender persons to have biological children is reportedly the same as for cisgender persons, but parenthood can be a much greater endeavor both medically and psychologically for them. The right to health includes freedom to control one's health and body, including sexual and reproductive issues. Despite these difficulties, we are living in a period of great social progress that increases access to assisted reproduction among novel patient populations. With legalization of gay marriage, individuals and couples who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, may seek to begin or expand their families with assisted reproduction technologies. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assist in the restructuring of healthcare services, routines and procedures, mainly related to reproductive medicine, in order to promote changes in values based on respect for differences. In conclusion, the healthcare personnel of fertility centers should undergo specific training and preparations to meet the specific demands of the LGBT patient population and to overcome communication barriers.

Clinical management of transgender and non-binary patients in the fertility preservation service: Current evidence

Background: Transgender and non-binary individuals face unique challenges when it comes to fertility preservation (FP). Objective: Despite the growing prevalence of gender dysphoria (GD) and gender transitioning, there is a lack of clear guidelines and consensus on the management of these patients in the FP setting. Clinicians and institutions providing FP services should ensure that they are aware of the needs and circumstances of this underrepresented group of patients and offer them accurate and evidence-based information when counseling and tailoring their FP treatment. Materials and methods: For this scoping review, three major search engines were used. Including Embase, Epistemonikos, Google Scholar, MEDLINE and PubMed. Sources of grey literature were also explored (ResearchGate and Web of Science). The combination of only two keywords [transgender] AND [fertility preservation] was used up to May 2023. Results: The available evidence on clinical management and FP outcomes in transgender patients is limited and mainly originates from case reports or small case series. The main limitation of current FP services for transgender and non-binary individuals is the lack of scientific evidence regarding their care. Discussion: Overall, FP in transgender patients requires individualized and realistic plans, and psychological counseling should be offered. This review aims to provide the latest evidence coming from original studies to facilitate proper counseling and fertility management for these individuals. Conclusions: Inclusive health systems that provide comprehensive reproductive health care to transgender individuals can help them make informed decisions about FP and improve their quality of life. Future research is needed to establish more robust evidence-based guidelines for the management of transgender and non-binary individuals in the FP setting.

Sperm parameters in Israeli transgender women before and after cryopreservation

BACKGROUND

The application of fertility preservation, initially intended for oncological patients prior to gonadotoxic treatment, has extended in recent years to transgender and gender-non-conforming individuals undergoing therapy for gender compatibility.

OBJECTIVES

To examine semen quality and survival in transgender women pursuing semen cryopreservation in the presence or absence of gender-affirming hormonal medication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed data of 74 consecutive transgender women presenting for semen cryopreservation at a single center between 2000 and 2019. Semen parameters before and after cryopreservation were compared to a control group composed of 100 consecutive sperm bank donor candidates. A subgroup analysis of subjects who had used gender-affirming hormonal treatment was also performed.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, transgender women had lower total sperm count (144.0 vs. 54.5 million, respectively, p < 0.001), lower sperm motility percentage (65.0% vs. 51.0%, respectively, p < 0.001), and lower total motile sperm count (94.0 vs. 27.0 million, respectively, p < 0.001). Values were further decreased in transgender women who had received hormonal treatment before sperm cryopreservation. Post-thawing motility rate remained lower in the transgender group compared to the control group (20.0% vs. 45.0%, respectively, p < 0.001), and the total motile count remained lower as well (2.7 vs. 9.0 million, respectively, p < 0.001). Following sperm cryopreservation, the post-thaw decreases in total motile sperm count were higher in the transgender group compared with the control group (91.5% vs. 90.0%). Further subdivision in the transgender group showed that the decrease in total motile sperm count was lower for transgender women who did not use gender-affirming hormonal treatment compared to those who did (-89.7% vs. -92.6%, respectively, p < 0.01).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Sperm parameters in transgender women are poor compared to candidates for sperm donation representing the general population. Specimens collected after discontinuation of gender-affirming hormone treatments were further impaired. Moreover, post-thawing sperm total motile count, motility, and overall sperm survival were reduced in transgender women.

Update on bioethical, medical and fertility issues in gender incongruence during transition age

PURPOSE

Many issues still remain unresolved in the management of pubertal patients with gender incongruence (GI). The aim of this review is to discuss the main aspects of the treatment of these patients to provide a practical approach for clinicians.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed to provide updates of available evidence regarding the impact on bioethical, medical and fertility issues in gender incongruence during transition age.

RESULTS

Gender Affirming Hormone Treatment (GAHT) and Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS) can induce unsatisfaction with change, future regrets, and the risk of infertility. This raises ethical issues especially in the management of pubertal patients that remain unresolved. Therapy with GnRH analogues (GnRHa) is intended to delay puberty, so as to give the adolescent a longer period of time to decide whether to continue with the treatments. At the level of physical changes, this therapy may have an effect on bone mineralization and body composition; however, long-term longitudinal data are not yet available. An important feature related to the use of GnRHa is the risk of fertility. Gamete cryopreservation is the most established method of fertility preservation (FP) and should be counselled to transgender adolescents. However, these patients are not always interested in having biological children.

CONCLUSION

Based on the current evidence, there is a need to conduct further research to clarify certain issues and to standardize clinical practice and improve counselling in transgender adolescent decision making and avoid regrets in the future.

Fertility preservation and realignment in transgender women

Medical care for transgender people is multi-faceted and attention to individual reproductive aspirations and planning are an essential, yet often overlooked aspect of care. Given the impact of hormonal therapy and other gender affirmation procedures on reproductive function, extensive counselling and consideration of fertility preservation is recommended prior to their commencement. This review article explores the reproductive aspirations of transgender women and considers the current disparity between stated desires regarding utilisation of fertility preservation services. Current fertility preservation options and prospective treatments currently showing promise in the research arena are explored.

Fertility preservation options for transgender and nonbinary individuals

Transgender and nonbinary individuals are historically underserved by healthcare systems. A crucial area for improvement is fertility preservation counseling and service delivery, as gender-affirming hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery may negatively affect future fertility. The methods available for fertility preservation depend on the patient's pubertal status and utilization of gender-affirming therapies, and counseling and delivery of these services are complex and require a multidisciplinary approach. Further research is needed to identify pertinent stakeholders in managing the care of these patients, as well as to better understand the optimal frameworks for delivering integrated and comprehensive care to this patient population. Fertility preservation is an active and exciting area of scientific discovery and offers a wealth of opportunities to improve the care of transgender and nonbinary individuals.

Journeying Through the Hurdles of Gender-Affirming Care Insurance: A Literature Analysis

Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) has been proven to be successful in the treatment of gender dysphoria. The benefits of providing insurance coverage for transition-related surgeries far surpass the costs of suffering from persistent gender dysphoria, including many positive health outcomes such as decreased rates of substance use, psychiatric illness, and suicide. Despite being deemed a medical necessity, discrepancies in access to treatment and insurance coverage for GAS persist. The purpose of this review is to understand the impact of limited insurance coverage on the well-being of transgender patients. A comprehensive search was conducted utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in SCOPUS and PubMed databases using the terms "insurance" AND "gender affirming surgery." Articles in non-English languages were excluded. Data related to variations in insurance coverage for GAS in the United States were collected. Of the 67 articles reviewed, 29 met the inclusion criteria. When compared to the general population, individuals who identify as transgender have higher rates of being uninsured as of 2020, with only 30 states in the United States providing insurance coverage for transgender and gender non-binary people. Of the 30 states, only 18 provide coverage for GAS, with chondrolaryngoplasty having the highest prevalence of coverage. As evidenced in our review, the persistence of complex insurance regulations impedes transgender individuals' access to equitable care. Overall, this literature review elucidates the variability in insurance coverage as it relates to gender-affirming care. Furthermore, this review highlights the need for additional health policy reforms, in addition to improving physician awareness regarding the hurdles of navigating the insurance world as a transgender patient.

Desire for children and fertility preservation in transgender and gender-diverse people: A systematic review

The decision to pursue one's desire for children is a basic human right. For transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people, gender-affirming care may alter the possibilities to fulfill one's desire for children due to the impact of this treatment on their reproductive organs. We systematically included 76 studies of varying quality describing the desire for children and parenthood; fertility counseling and utilization; and fertility preservation options and outcomes in TGD people. The majority of TGD people expressed a desire for children. Fertility preservation utilization rates were low as there are many barriers to pursue fertility preservation. The most utilized fertility preservation strategies include oocyte vitrification and sperm banking through masturbation. Oocyte vitrification showed successful outcomes, even after testosterone cessation. Sperm analyses when banking sperm showed a lower quality compared to cis male samples even prior to gender-affirming hormone treatment and an uncertain recovery of spermatogenesis after discontinuing treatment.

[Ethical implications of supporting trans or questioning children and adolescents: Articulation with reproductive health]

Supporting children and adolescents who are trans or who are questioning cannot be done without an ethical reflection on one's own practice as a health professional. It is important to consider the young person as a whole, including reproductive health issues. This article proposes, through the principles of Beauchamps and Childress, an ethical reflection on the issues of beneficence - not maleficence, and of autonomy and justice for adolescents, young adults, and future trans or questioning parents. For adolescents, concerning the possibilities of medical treatment of gender affirmation, we need to propose information in terms of impact on fertility and, if necessary, proposals for the possibilities of preserving their reproductive capacities. These issues require to question the state of scientific knowledge in terms of parenthood of trans people and questioning. We propose here a state of knowledge of these realities, put in perspectives of the axes of ethical reflections inherent to guidance. In fine, it appears that the major ethical stake concerns the child to be born. Finally, it is necessary to consider the quality of life of the future parents and the impact of their medical follow-up.

[Fertility preservation and access to medically assisted reproduction for Trans people: Guidelines from French Professional Association for Transgender Health]

Many health care professionals are dealing with the issue of transgender people in their medical practice. In the field of reproduction, Trans people can benefit from fertility preservation before the introduction of hormonal treatment or surgery altering their fertility. This article, which is the result of a collaborative work of several reproductive professionals involved in the health of Trans people, provides an overview of the possibilities of fertility preservation and medically assisted reproduction techniques in France for Trans people.

Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8

Background: Transgender healthcare is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. In the last decade, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number and visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people seeking support and gender-affirming medical treatment in parallel with a significant rise in the scientific literature in this area. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international, multidisciplinary, professional association whose mission is to promote evidence-based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. One of the main functions of WPATH is to promote the highest standards of health care for TGD people through the Standards of Care (SOC). The SOC was initially developed in 1979 and the last version (SOC-7) was published in 2012. In view of the increasing scientific evidence, WPATH commissioned a new version of the Standards of Care, the SOC-8. Aim: The overall goal of SOC-8 is to provide health care professionals (HCPs) with clinical guidance to assist TGD people in accessing safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves with the aim of optimizing their overall physical health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. Methods: The SOC-8 is based on the best available science and expert professional consensus in transgender health. International professionals and stakeholders were selected to serve on the SOC-8 committee. Recommendation statements were developed based on data derived from independent systematic literature reviews, where available, background reviews and expert opinions. Grading of recommendations was based on the available evidence supporting interventions, a discussion of risks and harms, as well as the feasibility and acceptability within different contexts and country settings. Results: A total of 18 chapters were developed as part of the SOC-8. They contain recommendations for health care professionals who provide care and treatment for TGD people. Each of the recommendations is followed by explanatory text with relevant references. General areas related to transgender health are covered in the chapters Terminology, Global Applicability, Population Estimates, and Education. The chapters developed for the diverse population of TGD people include Assessment of Adults, Adolescents, Children, Nonbinary, Eunuchs, and Intersex Individuals, and people living in Institutional Environments. Finally, the chapters related to gender-affirming treatment are Hormone Therapy, Surgery and Postoperative Care, Voice and Communication, Primary Care, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health, and Mental Health. Conclusions: The SOC-8 guidelines are intended to be flexible to meet the diverse health care needs of TGD people globally. While adaptable, they offer standards for promoting optimal health care and guidance for the treatment of people experiencing gender incongruence. As in all previous versions of the SOC, the criteria set forth in this document for gender-affirming medical interventions are clinical guidelines; individual health care professionals and programs may modify these in consultation with the TGD person.