People with gender dysphoria who self-prescribe cross-sex hormones: Prevalence, sources, and side effects knowledge

Mepham, Nick; Bouman, Walter P.; Arcelus, Jon; Hayter, Mark; Wylie, Kevan R.

Abstract

Introduction: There is a scarcity of research into the use of non-physician-sourced cross-sex hormones in the transgender population. However, when medication is not prescribed by health professionals, users' knowledge of such medication may be adversely affected. Aims: This study aims to define the prevalence of Internet-sourced sex hormone use in a population attending for initial assessment at a gender identity clinic, to compare the prevalence between gender-dysphoric men and women, and to compare knowledge of cross-sex hormone side effects between users who source cross-sex hormones from medical doctors and those who source them elsewhere. Methods: In the first part of the study, a cross-sectional design is used to measure the overall prevalence of sex hormone use among individuals referred to a gender clinic. The second part is a questionnaire survey aiming at measuring sex hormone knowledge among individuals referred to this clinic. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures were (i) categorical data on the prevalence and source of cross-sex hormone use and (ii) knowledge of sex hormone side effects in a population referred to a gender clinic. Results: Cross-sex hormone use was present in 23% of gender clinic referrals, of whom 70% sourced the hormones via the Internet. Trans men using testosterone had a sex hormone usage prevalence of 6%; one-third of users sourced it from the Internet. Trans women had a sex hormone usage prevalence of 32%; approximately 70% of users sourced hormones from the Internet. Cross-sex hormone users who sourced their hormones from physicians were more aware of side effects than those who used other sources to access hormones. Conclusion: One in four trans women self-prescribe cross-sex hormones before attending gender clinics, most commonly via the Internet. This practice is currently rare among trans men. Self-prescribing without medical advice leaves individuals without the knowledge required to minimize health risks.

Citation

Mepham, N., Bouman, W. P., Arcelus, J., Hayter, M., & Wylie, K. R. (2014). People with gender dysphoria who self-prescribe cross-sex hormones: Prevalence, sources, and side effects knowledge. The journal of sexual medicine, 11(12), 2995-3001. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12691

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 16, 2015
• Publication Date: Dec 16, 2014
• Deposit Date: Aug 8, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Sexual Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1743-6095
• Electronic ISSN: 1743-6109
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 2995-3001
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12691
• Keywords: Gender Dysphoria; Transsexualism; Transgender; Cross‐Sex Hormones; Prevalence; Internet
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/778993
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1743609515306196?via%3Dihub