People with gender dysphoria who self-prescribe cross-sex hormones: Prevalence, sources, and side effects knowledge
dc.contributor.author | Bouman, Walter P. | |
dc.contributor.author | Mepham, Nick | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2017-10-23T11:48:21Z | |
dc.date.available | 2017-10-23T11:48:21Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014 | |
dc.identifier.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. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11 (12), pp.2995-3001. | en |
dc.identifier.other | 10.1111/jsm.12691 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12904/8411 | |
dc.description.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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract) | |
dc.subject | Gender identity | en |
dc.subject | Internet | en |
dc.subject | Surveys and questionnaires | en |
dc.subject | Transsexualism | en |
dc.title | People with gender dysphoria who self-prescribe cross-sex hormones: Prevalence, sources, and side effects knowledge | en |
dc.type | Article | |
html.description.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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract) |