Summary

Researchers looked at the medical records of 73 teenagers with gender dysphoria (distress about their sex) who were being considered for puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones at an Ohio children's hospital. Almost all (72) had a recorded conversation about the risk that treatment could harm their future fertility, but only two tried to freeze eggs or sperm. Many said they would adopt (45%) or had never wanted children (21%). The authors call this use of fertility preservation low and say more research is needed on how teens' wishes about parenthood develop. The study is an early, often-cited sign that counselling alone rarely leads teens to save eggs or sperm. But it is small, relies on clinicians' notes, did not measure understanding or obstacles, and did not follow teens into adulthood to see if their views or regrets changed.

Key findings

• Nghiên cứu xem xét hồ sơ của 78 người trẻ được giới thiệu để điều trị hormone tại một phòng khám giới tính trẻ em của Hoa Kỳ từ tháng 1 năm 2014 đến tháng 8 năm 2016; 73 thiếu niên đã bắt đầu dậy thì được đưa vào.
• 72 trong 73 thiếu niên (99%) có ghi nhận về cuộc trò chuyện về khả năng sinh sản trước khi bắt đầu thuốc chặn dậy thì hoặc hormone khác giới.
• Chỉ 2 trong 73 thiếu niên (3%) thử đông lạnh trứng hoặc tinh trùng (bảo tồn khả năng sinh sản).
• 45% nói họ muốn hoặc dự định nhận con nuôi, và 21% nói họ chưa bao giờ muốn có con.
• Các tác giả kêu gọi nghiên cứu thêm về cách mong muốn có con thay đổi theo tuổi và phiền muộn giới ảnh hưởng thế nào đến những lựa chọn này.
• Kết quả đặt ra câu hỏi về sự đồng ý có hiểu biết, vì thiếu niên từ chối lưu trữ trứng hoặc tinh trùng trước các điều trị có thể gây hại vĩnh viễn cho khả năng sinh sản, ở độ tuổi mà mong muốn làm cha mẹ của họ có thể thay đổi.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Research demonstrates a negative psychosocial impact of infertility among otherwise healthy adults, and distress among adolescents facing the prospect of future infertility due to various medical conditions and treatments that impair reproductive health. Guidelines state that providers should counsel transgender youth about potential infertility and fertility preservation (FP) options prior to initiation of hormone therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of fertility counseling and utilization of FP among a cohort of adolescents with gender dysphoria seen at a large gender clinic.

METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted of all patients with ICD-9/10 codes for gender dysphoria referred to Pediatric Endocrinology for hormone therapy (puberty suppression and/or cross-sex hormones) from January 2014 to August 2016.

RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Five children were prepubertal, no hormone therapy was considered, and they were therefore excluded. Of the remaining 73 patients, 72 had documented fertility counseling prior to initiation of hormone therapy and 2 subjects attempted FP; 45% of subjects mentioned a desire or plan to adopt, and 21% said they had never wanted to have children.

CONCLUSIONS: Utilization rates of FP are low among transgender adolescents. More research is needed to understand parenthood goals among transgender youth at different ages and developmental stages and to explore the impact of gender dysphoria on decision-making about FP and parenthood. Discussions about infertility risk, FP, and other family building options should be prioritized in this vulnerable adolescent population.

Conclusion

Utilization rates of FP are low among transgender adolescents. More research is needed to understand parenthood goals among transgender youth at different ages and developmental stages and to explore the impact of gender dysphoria on decision-making about FP and parenthood. Discussions about infertility risk, FP, and other family building options should be prioritized in this vulnerable adolescent population.