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Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Male-to-Female Persons

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Management of Gender Dysphoria

Abstract

Endocrine treatment of gender dysphoric male-to-female (MtF) adults has two major goals: (1) to reduce male secondary sex characteristics and (2) to induce those of the desired gender. In order to reach these two aims, a reduction of endogenous hormone levels (by antiandrogens) and their replacement with those of the reassigned sex (estrogens) are needed.

In line with the emerging conceptualization of gender nonconformity, it should be considered that individuals with gender dysphoria (GD) could benefit from flexibility in treatment, depending on clients’ final goals with regard to aligning identity with body.

Before starting treatment, it is recommended to evaluate and address conditions that can be exacerbated by this treatment. As serious adverse effects have been reported with long-term cross-sex hormone therapy (CHT), routinely clinical and laboratory monitoring are mandatory during treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, Florence, 50139, Italy

    Alessandra Daphne Fisher MD, PhD & Mario Maggi MD, PhD

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  1. Alessandra Daphne Fisher MD, PhD
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  2. Mario Maggi MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Mario Maggi MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy

    Carlo Trombetta

  2. Department of Urology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy

    Giovanni Liguori

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy

    Michele Bertolotto

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Fisher, A.D., Maggi, M. (2015). Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Male-to-Female Persons. In: Trombetta, C., Liguori, G., Bertolotto, M. (eds) Management of Gender Dysphoria. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5696-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5696-1_10

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