Leena Nahata1, Amy C Tishelman2, Nicole M Caltabellotta3, Gwendolyn P Quinn4. 1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio; Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. Electronic address: leena.nahata@nationwidechildrens.org. 2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Departments of Psychiatry, Urology, and Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. 4. Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Research demonstrates a negative psychosocial impact of infertility among otherwise healthy adults, and distress among adolescents facing the prospect of future infertility due to various medical conditions and treatments that impair reproductive health. Guidelines state that providers should counsel transgender youth about potential infertility and fertility preservation (FP) options prior to initiation of hormone therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of fertility counseling and utilization of FP among a cohort of adolescents with gender dysphoria seen at a large gender clinic. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted of all patients with ICD-9/10 codes for gender dysphoria referred to Pediatric Endocrinology for hormone therapy (puberty suppression and/or cross-sex hormones) from January 2014 to August 2016. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Five children were prepubertal, no hormone therapy was considered, and they were therefore excluded. Of the remaining 73 patients, 72 had documented fertility counseling prior to initiation of hormone therapy and 2 subjects attempted FP; 45% of subjects mentioned a desire or plan to adopt, and 21% said they had never wanted to have children. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization rates of FP are low among transgender adolescents. More research is needed to understand parenthood goals among transgender youth at different ages and developmental stages and to explore the impact of gender dysphoria on decision-making about FP and parenthood. Discussions about infertility risk, FP, and other family building options should be prioritized in this vulnerable adolescent population.
PURPOSE: Research demonstrates a negative psychosocial impact of infertility among otherwise healthy adults, and distress among adolescents facing the prospect of future infertility due to various medical conditions and treatments that impair reproductive health. Guidelines state that providers should counsel transgender youth about potential infertility and fertility preservation (FP) options prior to initiation of hormone therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of fertility counseling and utilization of FP among a cohort of adolescents with gender dysphoria seen at a large gender clinic. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted of all patients with ICD-9/10 codes for gender dysphoria referred to Pediatric Endocrinology for hormone therapy (puberty suppression and/or cross-sex hormones) from January 2014 to August 2016. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Five children were prepubertal, no hormone therapy was considered, and they were therefore excluded. Of the remaining 73 patients, 72 had documented fertility counseling prior to initiation of hormone therapy and 2 subjects attempted FP; 45% of subjects mentioned a desire or plan to adopt, and 21% said they had never wanted to have children. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization rates of FP are low among transgender adolescents. More research is needed to understand parenthood goals among transgender youth at different ages and developmental stages and to explore the impact of gender dysphoria on decision-making about FP and parenthood. Discussions about infertility risk, FP, and other family building options should be prioritized in this vulnerable adolescent population.
Authors: Maria Yan; Samyd S Bustos; Doga Kuruoglu; Pedro Ciudad; Antonio J Forte; Esther A Kim; Gabriel Del Corral; Oscar J Manrique Journal: Ann Transl Med Date: 2021-04
Authors: Diane Chen; Lia A Bernardi; Mary Ellen Pavone; Eve C Feinberg; Molly B Moravek Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2018-08-22 Impact factor: 3.412
Authors: Amy C Tishelman; Megan E Sutter; Diane Chen; Amani Sampson; Leena Nahata; Victoria D Kolbuck; Gwendolyn P Quinn Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2019-01-03 Impact factor: 3.412