BACKGROUND: Despite increasing demand for transgender healthcare, guidelines for cross-sex hormone therapy are based on low-level evidence only. As most data are based on international expert opinions, interpretations and practices vary significantly. AIMS: To aid the development of Australian clinical guidelines, we aimed to identify cross-sex hormone therapy prescribing patterns among medical practitioners experienced in adult transgender healthcare. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey of experienced hormone prescribers who were members of the Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health (ANZPATH). RESULTS: We received 35 responses from 43 individuals listed with ANZPATH. Mental health assessments prior to commencement of hormonal therapy were recommended by 80% of prescribers. The preferred first-line masculinising hormone therapy was intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (46% of respondents). The most commonly prescribed feminising agents were oral estradiol valerate (first line in 71.4%), with either spironolactone or cyproterone acetate. Most respondents (>90%) targeted sex steroid reference ranges of the affirmed gender, and 71.4% reviewed individuals every 2-3 months in the first year. Better training for doctors was seen as the most pressing priority for government funding, and 79.3% supported the development of local Australian-based guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced hormone prescribers in Australia largely use medication regimens and monitor sex steroid levels and potential adverse effects of sex hormone therapy in accordance with broad, subjective recommendations listed in international guidelines. Additional practitioner training is necessary, and local Australian-based guidelines would offer specific, relevant guidance to clinicians in the initiation and monitoring of cross-sex hormone therapy for adult transgender individuals.
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing demand for transgender healthcare, guidelines for cross-sex hormone therapy are based on low-level evidence only. As most data are based on international expert opinions, interpretations and practices vary significantly. AIMS: To aid the development of Australian clinical guidelines, we aimed to identify cross-sex hormone therapy prescribing patterns among medical practitioners experienced in adult transgender healthcare. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey of experienced hormone prescribers who were members of the Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health (ANZPATH). RESULTS: We received 35 responses from 43 individuals listed with ANZPATH. Mental health assessments prior to commencement of hormonal therapy were recommended by 80% of prescribers. The preferred first-line masculinising hormone therapy was intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (46% of respondents). The most commonly prescribed feminising agents were oral estradiol valerate (first line in 71.4%), with either spironolactone or cyproterone acetate. Most respondents (>90%) targeted sex steroid reference ranges of the affirmed gender, and 71.4% reviewed individuals every 2-3 months in the first year. Better training for doctors was seen as the most pressing priority for government funding, and 79.3% supported the development of local Australian-based guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced hormone prescribers in Australia largely use medication regimens and monitor sex steroid levels and potential adverse effects of sex hormone therapy in accordance with broad, subjective recommendations listed in international guidelines. Additional practitioner training is necessary, and local Australian-based guidelines would offer specific, relevant guidance to clinicians in the initiation and monitoring of cross-sex hormone therapy for adult transgender individuals.
Authors: Lucas Foster Skewis; Ingrid Bretherton; Shalem Y Leemaqz; Jeffrey D Zajac; Ada S Cheung Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2021-07-29 Impact factor: 5.555
Authors: Brendan J Nolan; Sav Zwickl; Alex F Q Wong; Peter Locke; Satu Simpson; Ling Li; Jeffrey D Zajac; Ada S Cheung Journal: Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab Date: 2022-03-11 Impact factor: 3.565
Authors: Ada Cheung; Nir Eynon; Patrice R Jones; Sarah Voisin; Brendan J Nolan; Shanie Landen; Macsue Jacques; Beau Newell; Sav Zwickl; Teddy Cook; Alex Wong; Ariel Ginger; Andrew Palmer; Andrew Garnham; Javier Alvarez-Romero; Namitha Mohandas; Kirsten Seale Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-05-11 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Brendan J Nolan; Adam Brownhill; Ingrid Bretherton; Peggy Wong; Susan Fox; Peter Locke; Nicholas Russell; Mathis Grossmann; Jeffrey D Zajac; Ada S Cheung Journal: Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab Date: 2020-05-24 Impact factor: 3.565
Authors: Matthew I Balcerek; Brendan J Nolan; Adam Brownhill; Peggy Wong; Peter Locke; Jeffrey D Zajac; Ada S Cheung Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2021-07-13 Impact factor: 5.555