Managing Dermatologic Effects of Gender-Affirming Therapy in Transgender Adolescents.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Christina Huang, Emory University; Sarah Gold, Emory University; Rakan Radi, Emory University; Seth Amos, Emory University; Howa Yeung, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022
• Publisher: DovePress
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 Huang et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S344078
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Adolesc Health Med Ther
• Volume: 13
• Start Page: 93
• End Page: 106
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr Yeung is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases under award numbers L30AR076081 and K23AR075888. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.
• Keywords: estrogen; acne; gender-affirming care; testosterone; anti-androgen
• Research Categories: Gender Studies; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Transgender adolescents seek gender-affirming medical care to address gender identity and incongruence. Improved understanding of the dermatologic impact of gender-affirming medical care such as pubertal suppression, hormone therapy, and surgeries can enhance patient outcome. Pubertal suppression treats dysphoria associated with development of secondary sex characteristics, including androgen-driven acne. Gender-affirming hormone therapy influences acne and hair development in transgender adolescents. Dermatologists can help manage skin effects associated with chest binding and gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery. Provision of patient-centered gender-affirming care in dermatologic and multidisciplinary settings is essential to improve skin and overall outcomes of gender-affirming therapy.