One-third of amenorrheic transmasculine people on testosterone ovulate.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Asseler JD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10982961 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
One-third of amenorrheic transmasculine people on testosterone ovulate.
Asseler Joyce D JD Del Valle Julieta S JS Chuva de Sousa Lopes Susana M SM Verhoeven Marieke O MO Goddijn Mariette M Huirne Judith A F JAF van Mello Norah M NM
Cell reports. Medicine 20240222 3
Transmasculine people usually reach amenorrhea within 6 months of adequate testosterone treatment. It is often assumed that no ovulation occurs during amenorrhea. However, in this study, we report recent ovulatory activity in amenorrheic transmasculine people on testosterone therapy at gender-affirming oophorectomy. Histological signs of recent ovulatory activity, including the presence of ovulatory follicles, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans, are observed in 17 of 52 individuals (33%). This i ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC10167862 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Little research has examined the health care experiences of transmasculine people in India, where government initiatives to improve access to transition-related (also called gender-affirmative) care have recently been announced. We draw on data from 'Our Health Matters', a mixed-methods community-based participatory research project, to characterize the transition-related care experiences of transmasculine people in India. Peer researchers conducted 40 virtual qualitative interviews in Hindi or Marathi from July to September 2021. Between November 2022 and January 2023, 377 transmasculine people participated in a multi-mode survey available in five languages. Qualitative data were analysed with a combination of framework analysis and grounded theory techniques. Data were mixed using a convergent parallel approach. Transmasculine persons' care journeys began with information-seeking, relying on peers and internet searches. In choosing between the public and private healthcare systems, they weighed issues of quality and affordability: the public system was perceived as lower-quality and difficult to access but most could not afford private care, leading to delays in care. Indeed, unmet need was common; 36.4% of survey participants were planning but had not begun to receive transition-related care and 80.2% wanted at least one transition-related surgery. Although some participants encountered stigma and refusal of care when seeking hormones, survey participants reported largely positive experiences with their hormone prescribers, which may reflect the influence of peer referrals. Participants underwent psychological assessments prior to transition-related care, which some experienced as disempowering and a barrier to disclosing mental health challenges. Finally, participants who were able to access care reported improved well-being, although surgical dissatisfaction was not uncommon (26.2%). Trans-inclusive medical training and continuing education are critical to enhancing access to high-quality transition-related care. Transmasculine people generally relied on peers and grassroots organizations for information, system navigation, and financial assistance. Strengthening these existing community resources may improve access to care.
| S-EPMC11521280 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundResearch shows that transmasculine people experience discrimination based on their gender identity and/or expression (i.e., cissexism) while obtaining health care. However, studies examining the experience of other forms of discrimination in health care settings among diverse subgroups of transmasculine individuals, including those from minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds, are very limited.MethodsGuided by intersectionality, we designed a qualitative research study to explore how transmasculine people of color experience-and resist-multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination in health care settings. Guided by a purposive sampling strategy, we selected 19 transmasculine young adults of color aged 18-25 years to participate in 5 mini-focus groups conducted between February and May 2019 in Boston, MA. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using a template style approach to thematic analysis that involved both deductive and inductive coding using a codebook. Coded text fragments pertaining to participants' experiences of health care discrimination were clustered into themes and sub-themes.ResultsTransmasculine people of color described experiencing notable challenges accessing physical and mental health care as a result of structural barriers to identifying health care providers with expertise in transgender health, finding providers who share one or more of their social positions and lived experiences, and accessing financial resources to cover high health care costs. Further, participants discussed anticipating and experiencing multiple forms of interpersonal discrimination-both independently and simultaneously-in health care settings, including cissexism, racism, weight-based discrimination, and ableism. Moreover, participants described the negative impact of anticipating and experiencing multiple interpersonal health care discrimination on their health care utilization, quality of care, and mental and physical health. Lastly, participants discussed using various strategies to resist the multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination they encounter in health care settings, including setting boundaries with health care providers, seeking care from competent providers with shared social positions, engaging in self-advocacy, drawing on peer support during health care visits, and obtaining health information through their social networks.DiscussionEfforts are needed to address cissexism, racism, weight-based discrimination, ableism, and other intersecting forms of discrimination in clinical encounters, health care institutions and systems, and society in general to advance the health of transmasculine people of color and other multiply marginalized groups.
| S-EPMC8935683 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Testosterone (TS) and its 1(2)-dehydrogenated derivative boldenone (BD) are widely used in medicine, veterinary science and as precursors in organic synthesis of many therapeutic steroids. Green production of these compounds is possible from androstenedione (AD) enzymatically, or from phytosterol (PS) using fermentation stages. In this study, the ascomycete Curvularia sp. VKM F-3040 was shown to convert androstadienedione (ADD, 4 and 10 g/L) to yield 97% and 78% (mol/mol) of BD, respectively. Based on its high 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activity, a novel cascade biotransformation of PS was developed for production of TS and BD. At the first stage, the strains of Mycolicibacterium neoaurum VKM Ac-1815D or M. neoaurum VKM Ac-1816D converted PS (5 or 10 g/L) into AD or ADD (each in a concentration of 2.5 or 5 g/L), respectively. At the second stage, mycelium of the fungus under the revealed optimal conditions reduced AD or ADD with more than 90% efficiency to form TS or BD, respectively. Based on transcriptome analysis, six candidate genes that might encode 17β-HSDs in the Curvularia sp. genome were revealed. Along with 17β-HSDs, the fungus possessed inducible P450cur 7-monooxygenase, which led to the accumulation of 7α-hydroxytestosterone (7α-OH-TS) as a major product from AD (up to 83% within 24 h after mycelium addition at the second stage of cascade biotransformation). The presence of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) prevented 7α/β-hydroxylation due to inhibition of de novo synthesis of the enzyme in the fungal cells. The results demonstrate the high biotechnological potential of the Curvularia sp. strain and open up prospects for the synthesis of valuable 17β-reduced and 7-hydroxylated steroids by cascade biotransformations.
| S-EPMC11677960 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWomen are two times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. Sex hormones modulating serotonergic transmission are proposed to partly underlie these epidemiologic findings. Here, we used the cross-sex steroid hormone treatment of transsexuals seeking sex reassignment as a model to investigate acute and chronic effects of testosterone and estradiol on serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) binding in female-to-male and male-to-female transsexuals.MethodsThirty-three transsexuals underwent [(11)C]DASB positron emission tomography before start of treatment, a subset of which underwent a second scan 4 weeks and a third scan 4 months after treatment start. SERT nondisplaceable binding potential was quantified in 12 regions of interest. Treatment effects were analyzed using linear mixed models. Changes of hormone plasma levels were correlated with changes in regional SERT nondisplaceable binding potential.ResultsOne and 4 months of androgen treatment in female-to-male transsexuals increased SERT binding in amygdala, caudate, putamen, and median raphe nucleus. SERT binding increases correlated with treatment-induced increases in testosterone levels, suggesting that testosterone increases SERT expression on the cell surface. Conversely, 4 months of antiandrogen and estrogen treatment in male-to-female transsexuals led to decreases in SERT binding in insula, anterior, and mid-cingulate cortex. Increases in estradiol levels correlated negatively with decreases in regional SERT binding, indicating a protective effect of estradiol against SERT loss.ConclusionsGiven the central role of the SERT in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, these findings may lead to new treatment modalities and expand our understanding of the mechanism of action of antidepressant treatment properties.
| S-EPMC4585531 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMaternal testosterone in pregnancy may have conditioning effects on offspring muscle strength.PurposeTo investigate possible associations between maternal testosterone concentrations in third trimester and offspring handgrip strength (HGS) at 5 years.MethodsIn the prospective, population-based Odense Child Cohort, total testosterone (TT) at gestational week 27-28 and 5-year HGS were measured in 1017 mother-child pairs. TT was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and free testosterone (FT) was calculated from TT and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Multivariable regression analyses were performed with HGS < 10th percentile as cutoff for low HGS.ResultsThird-trimester FT concentration was 0.004 (0.002-0.007) nmol/L, geometric mean (mean - SD; mean + SD). The mean (SD) 5-year HGS was 8.7 (1.8) kg in boys and 8.1 (1.7) kg in girls (P < 0.001). Higher FT concentrations were associated with lower HGS (β = -0.186, P = 0.048), after adjustment for maternal age, parity, offspring sex, and 5-year height and weight. FT > 0.004 nmol/L was associated with higher risk of 5-year HGS < 10th percentile with odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.58 (1.01, 2.47; P = 0.047; n = 1,017) and 1.69 (1.05, 2.74; P = 0.032) after further adjustment for children's organized sports in subgroup analysis (n = 848). Lower HGS in relation to higher FT concentrations was found in all linear models but was not always statistically significant. HGS was not associated with maternal TT and SHBG levels.ConclusionThird trimester FT was inversely associated with offspring muscle strength assessed by HGS at 5 years of age, which may suggest a negative effect of maternal FT on offspring muscle strength.
| S-EPMC9202699 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe sexual health of transmasculine (TM) people-those who identify as male, men, or nonbinary and were assigned a female sex at birth-is understudied. One barrier to conducting HIV- and sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related research with this population is how to best capture sexual risk data in an acceptable, gender-affirming, and accurate manner.ObjectiveThis study aimed to report on the community-based process of developing, piloting, and refining a digitally deployed measure to assess self-reported sexual behaviors associated with HIV and STI transmission for research with TM adults.MethodsA multicomponent process was used to develop a digital-assisted self-interview to assess HIV and STI risk in TM people: gathering input from a Community Task Force; working with an interdisciplinary team of content experts in transgender medicine, epidemiology, and infectious diseases; conducting web-based focus groups; and iteratively refining the measure. We field-tested the measure with 141 TM people in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area to assess HIV and STI risk. Descriptive statistics characterized the distribution of sexual behaviors and HIV and STI transmission risk by the gender identity of sexual partners.ResultsThe Transmasculine Sexual Health Assessment (TM-SHA) measures the broad range of potential sexual behaviors TM people may engage in, including those which may confer risk for STIs and not just for HIV infection (ie, oral-genital contact); incorporates gender-affirming language (ie, genital or frontal vs vaginal); and asks sexual partnership characteristics (ie, partner gender). Among 141 individual participants (mean age 27, SD 5 years; range 21-29 years; n=21, 14.9% multiracial), 259 sexual partnerships and 15 sexual risk behaviors were reported. Participants engaged in a wide range of sexual behaviors, including fingering or fisting (receiving: n=170, 65.6%; performing: n=173, 66.8%), oral-genital sex (receiving: n=182, 70.3%; performing: n=216, 83.4%), anal-genital sex (receptive: n=31, 11.9%; insertive: n=9, 3.5%), frontal-genital sex (receptive: n=105, 40.5%; insertive: n=46, 17.8%), and sharing toys or prosthetics during insertive sex (n=62, 23.9%). Overall barrier use for each sexual behavior ranged from 10.9% (20/182) to 81% (25/31). Frontal receptive sex with genitals and no protective barrier was the highest (21/42, 50%) with cisgender male partners. In total, 14.9% (21/141) of participants reported a lifetime diagnosis of STI. The sexual history tool was highly acceptable to TM participants.ConclusionsThe TM-SHA is one of the first digital sexual health risk measures developed specifically with and exclusively for TM people. TM-SHA successfully integrates gender-affirming language and branching logic to capture a wide array of sexual behaviors. The measure elicits sexual behavior information needed to assess HIV and STI transmission risk behaviors. A strength of the tool is that detailed partner-by-partner data can be used to model partnership-level characteristics, not just individual-level participant data, to inform HIV and STI interventions.
| S-EPMC10131935 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The main male hormone, testosterone is obtained from cheap and readily available phytosterol using the strains of Mycolicibacterium neoaurum VKM Ac-1815D, or Ac-1816D. During the first "oxidative" stage, phytosterol (5-10 g/L) was aerobically converted by Ac-1815D, or Ac-1816D to form 17-ketoandrostanes: androstenedione, or androstadienedione, respectively. At the same bioreactor, the 17-ketoandrostanes were further transformed to testosterone due to the presence of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the strains ("reductive" mode). The conditions favorable for "oxidative" and "reductive" stages have been revealed to increase the final testosterone yield. Glucose supplement and microaerophilic conditions during the "reductive" mode ensured increased testosterone production by mycolicibacteria cells. Both strains effectively produced testosterone from phytosterol, but highest ever reported testosterone yield was achieved using M. neoaurum VKM Ac-1815D: 4.59 g/l testosterone was reached from 10 g/l phytosterol thus corresponding to the molar yield of over 66%. The results contribute to the knowledge on phytosterol bioconversion by mycolicibacteria, and are of significance for one-pot testosterone bioproduction from phytosterol bypassing the intermediate isolation of the 17-ketoandrostanes.
| S-EPMC10992188 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundTransmasculine chest surgery is the most common surgery performed in transmasculine patients, with high overall acceptance and low postoperative complication rates. Trends have shown clear improvement in quality of life and satisfaction. However, to the best of our knowledge, overall patient satisfaction after transmasculine chest surgery and associated factors are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to estimate the overall patient satisfaction in transgender men and nonbinary population after transmasculine chest surgery and to assess associated factors.MethodsA systematic review was conducted by searching literature in several databases. Meta-analyses of prevalence with a random-effect model for overall and subgroup prevalence were performed. Meta-regression, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsA total of 1052 transmasculine patients underwent any type of transmasculine chest surgery. The pooled overall postoperative satisfaction was 92% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88-96%]. In the subgroup metanalysis, patient satisfaction after periareolar mastectomy was 93% (CI 88%-97%) and after mastectomy with or without free nipple grafting was 90% (CI 84%-95%). Patient satisfaction for studies with mean follow-up >1 year was 91% (CI 83%-97%) and for mean follow-up of 1 year or less was 93% (CI 89%-96%).ConclusionsThis study shows a high level of satisfaction in transmasculine chest surgery for both techniques, which remain stable over time. Also, our results show that this procedure impacts patient satisfaction beyond chest appearance and surgical outcomes. This corroborates its broad acceptance and the improvements in the standard of care, and decision-making approach.
| S-EPMC8099412 | biostudies-literature
Project description:As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spread across the world over the past year, many countries imposed lockdowns in the form of stay at home requirements on their citizens to mitigate its spread. We analyze mobility data from 93 countries implementing lockdowns to investigate their immediate impact on mobility and the subsequent evolution of mobility. We find that at the start of a lockdown, median mobility is reduced to 36% below the baseline, and by another 18% in the subsequent 2 weeks. 70 countries had lockdowns lasting beyond 4 weeks and showed a significant reduction in mobility compared to that prior to the lockdown. Mobility was at its minimum 18 days into the lockdown for the median country. Comparing this minimum mobility to the average mobility 2 weeks before the lockdown, we observe a median reduction of 50 percentage points, evidencing that lockdowns reduce mobility. For 59 of these 70 countries, lockdowns lasted at least 4 weeks after reaching minimum mobility and most observed a significant rebound in mobility during the lockdown period. For the median country, 30.1% of the mobility reduction achieved is lost within 4 weeks, and lockdowns lose all their impact on mobility in 112.1 days. Overall, our findings show that while lockdowns significantly reduce mobility, this impact is also subject to fatigue as the lockdown period extends longer. The magnitude of mobility reductions achieved and fatigues reported in this research can help policy makers anticipate the likely impact of their lockdown policies.
| S-EPMC8608930 | biostudies-literature