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Endocrine, gender dysphoria, and sexual function benefits of gender-affirming bilateral orchiectomy: patient outcomes and surgical technique.


ABSTRACT:

Background

Gender-affirming bilateral orchiectomy (GABO) may be completed as either a standalone procedure (sGABO) or at the same time as gender-affirming vaginoplasty (vGABO). GABO is postulated to decrease gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) dosages and reduce gender dysphoria, but these phenomena are not empirically described in the medical literature.

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to describe changes in GAHT dosages after sGABO and vGABO. A secondary aim was to assess sGABO patients' preoperative decision-making priorities and postoperative satisfaction.

Methods

A retrospective chart review identified 204 patients who completed GABO as either a standalone procedure (64% of patients) or at the same time as vaginoplasty (36%). Patient demographic data, surgical outcomes, and pre- and postoperative GAHT dosage data were recorded. Patients completed an opinion questionnaire to assessed decision-making priorities, as well as postoperative satisfaction and changes in quality-of-life measures.

Outcomes

Primary outcomes included pre- and postoperative dosages of estradiol, progesterone, and spironolactone. Secondary outcomes included sGABO patient priorities, satisfaction with sGABO, changes in quality-of-life measures between sGABO and vGABO patients, and sGABO recommendations to future patients.

Results

The sGABO and vGABO patients experienced a statistically significant dosage reduction in all three GAHT assessed: estradiol, progesterone, and spironolactone (P < .05). All patients discontinued spironolactone postoperatively. Zero complications related to GABO were recorded for patients in either group. The patient questionnaire revealed that sGABO patients prioritize decreasing endogenous testosterone and reducing their GAHT as most important in their decision to undergo sGABO prior to vaginoplasty. A majority of sGABO patients reported improvement in all nine quality-of-life indices. None of the sGABO patients would recommend against sGABO to a friend who is waiting for vaginoplasty.

Clinical implications

For patients who are interested in vaginoplasty, sGABO may serve as a more immediate, low-risk, intermediary step that comes with the benefits of GABO, including significant GAHT medication reduction and gender dysphoria relief.

Strengths and limitations

This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of GABO on patients, combining empirical data with subjective patient feedback. Limitations include the retrospective design and the use of unvalidated survey questions.

Conclusion

Prevaginoplasty GABO is a viable option to more immediately alleviate gender dysphoria and reduce GAHT medications for patients who are interested in gender-affirming vaginoplasty.

SUBMITTER: Stelmar J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11359165 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Endocrine, gender dysphoria, and sexual function benefits of gender-affirming bilateral orchiectomy: patient outcomes and surgical technique.

Stelmar Jenna J   Victor Robert R   Yuan Nance N   Smith Shannon M SM   Mallavarapu Samhita S   Sandhu Sandeep S   Garcia Maurice M MM  

Sexual medicine 20240829 4


<h4>Background</h4>Gender-affirming bilateral orchiectomy (GABO) may be completed as either a standalone procedure (sGABO) or at the same time as gender-affirming vaginoplasty (vGABO). GABO is postulated to decrease gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) dosages and reduce gender dysphoria, but these phenomena are not empirically described in the medical literature.<h4>Aim</h4>The primary aim of this study was to describe changes in GAHT dosages after sGABO and vGABO. A secondary aim was to ass  ...[more]

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