72% người dùng testosterone báo cáo đau vùng chậu, nhưng gần như tất cả đã đau vùng chậu từ trước khi bắt đầu

Đau vùng chậu ở người chuyển giới dùng liệu pháp testosterone

Authors
Sav Zwickl, Laura Burchill, Alex Fang Qi Wong, Shalem Y. Leemaqz, Teddy Cook, Lachlan M. Angus, Kalen Eshin, Charlotte V. Elder, Sonia R. Grover, Jeffrey D. Zajac, Ada S. Cheung
Journal
LGBT Health
Year
2023

Summary

Australian doctors said they were seeing more testosterone users with pelvic pain, so they surveyed 486 trans-identified people born female who were taking testosterone. Nearly three-quarters said they had had pelvic pain since starting, usually cramping low in the belly, with a typical severity of 6 out of 10. Pain was more likely in people who still had periods, had PTSD, or had pain during orgasm. Some said the pain disrupted their sex lives. However, almost all of those with pain had also had pelvic pain, mostly period pain, before testosterone, and on average they rated it about the same as before. So the survey cannot show that testosterone causes pelvic pain. It does show that pelvic pain is a common and little-studied problem for this group.

Key findings

  • Trong 486 người dùng testosterone được khảo sát (tuổi điển hình 27, khoảng 2,5 năm dùng testosterone), 351 người (72%) cho biết họ bị đau vùng chậu sau khi bắt đầu dùng testosterone.
  • Trong những người bị đau, 90% bị 'thỉnh thoảng' và 10% 'luôn luôn hoặc gần như luôn luôn'; mức độ nặng điển hình khoảng 6 trên 10, thường nhất là đau quặn thấp ở bụng.
  • Trong những người bị đau khi dùng testosterone, 98% cũng bị đau vùng chậu trước khi bắt đầu, và họ đánh giá cơn đau khi dùng testosterone gần như tương tự trước đó.
  • Đau vùng chậu có khả năng cao gấp khoảng 4 lần ở những người vẫn còn kinh nguyệt, 2,5 lần ở những người bị PTSD, và khoảng 30 lần ở những người đau khi đạt cực khoái.
  • Một nửa những người bị đau cho biết ít nhất đôi khi nó khiến họ dừng quan hệ hoặc thay đổi cách quan hệ.
  • Hầu hết trong 25 hoặc 26 người đã cắt bỏ tử cung báo cáo ít đau hơn sau đó, nhưng quá ít để rút ra kết luận.
  • Các tác giả gợi ý các vấn đề về cơ sàn chậu có thể đóng vai trò và kêu gọi nghiên cứu về nguyên nhân và điều trị.

Abstract

Purpose: This descriptive study aimed to assess the characteristics of pelvic pain and explore predictive factors for pelvic pain in transgender (trans) individuals using testosterone therapy. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was open between August 28, 2020, and December 31, 2020, to trans people presumed female at birth, using testosterone for gender affirmation, living in Australia, and >16 years of age. The survey explored characteristics of pelvic pain following initiation of testosterone therapy, type and length of testosterone therapy, menstruation history, and relevant sexual, gynecological, and mental health experiences. Logistic regression was applied to estimate the effect size of possible factors contributing to pain after starting testosterone. Results: Among 486 participants (median age = 27 years), 351 (72.2%)* reported experiencing pelvic pain following initiation of testosterone therapy, described most commonly as in the suprapubic region and as "cramping." Median duration of testosterone therapy was 32 months. Persistent menstruation, current or previous history of post-traumatic stress disorder, and experiences of pain with orgasm were associated with higher odds of pelvic pain after testosterone therapy. No association was observed with genital dryness, intrauterine device use, previous pregnancy, penetrative sexual activities, touching external genitalia, or known diagnoses of endometriosis, vulvodynia, vaginismus, depression, anxiety, or obesity. Conclusions: Pelvic pain is frequently reported in trans people following initiation of testosterone therapy. Given the association with persistent menstruation and orgasm, as well as the known androgen sensitivity of the pelvic floor musculature, further research into pelvic floor muscle dysfunction as a contributor is warranted.

Conclusion

Pelvic pain is frequently reported in trans people following initiation of testosterone therapy. Given the association with persistent menstruation and orgasm, as well as the known androgen sensitivity of the pelvic floor musculature, further research into pelvic floor muscle dysfunction as a contributor is warranted. Until further evidence is available, the authors recommend a tailored, multidisciplinary, trauma-informed approach that may include pain management, sexual function, management of persistent menstruation, and mental health.