Early Testosterone Therapy Improves Mental Health For Transgender Adults, Clinical Trial Reveals

Testosterone Therapy
Spread the love

A groundbreaking clinical trial led by the University of Melbourne has uncovered the significant mental health benefits of timely gender-affirming testosterone therapy for transgender adults.

The research, conducted by the Trans Health Research Group at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the Department of Endocrinology at Austin Health and Equinox Gender Diverse Clinic at Thorne Harbour Health in Abbotsford, has far-reaching implications for the transgender community.

The trial comprised 62 transgender adults ranging in age from 18 to 70, all seeking the initiation of testosterone therapy. Under the Informed Consent model of care, participants were clinically evaluated, adhering to national guidelines.

This gender-affirming approach prioritizes respectful, shared decision-making, where healthcare providers support individuals in their gender journey by tailoring care to their unique needs.

This comprehensive approach includes the use of affirming language, referrals for social and mental health support, and in-depth education on the benefits and risks of hormone therapy to enable informed decision-making regarding their health.

Clinical Standards Were Followed During Testosterone Therapy

During the trial, half of the participants were promptly initiated on testosterone treatment following thorough clinical assessment by experienced clinicians. In contrast, the other half received standard care, which involved a conventional waiting period of three months before testosterone initiation.

This design allowed researchers to assess the effects of testosterone therapy over a three-month period in transgender individuals seeking gender affirmation.

The findings, published in the Journal of American Medical Association Network Open, demonstrate the profound impact of timely access to gender-affirming hormone therapy on the mental health of transgender individuals, who are often at greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges.

Dr. Brendan Nolan, a PhD candidate and the lead author of the study, underscored the difficulties transgender individuals face in accessing gender-affirming therapy in Australia. He noted that these barriers have been associated with increased suicide attempts within the transgender community.

Dr. Nolan stated, “In this trial, we found that there was a significant decrease in gender dysphoria in individuals who began testosterone treatment immediately. We also report a clinically significant decrease in depression and an over 50% decrease in participants with suicidality (the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts) with immediate testosterone therapy.”

Associate Professor Ada Cheung, the senior author of the research, emphasized the potential impact of these findings on clinical care.

She noted that this open-label randomized trial is the first to demonstrate that gender-affirming hormone therapy effectively reduces depression, suicidal ideation, and gender dysphoria in transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming treatment.

It is well-documented that transgender individuals in Australia face disproportionately high rates of negative mental health outcomes compared to the general population. The scarcity of healthcare providers willing to offer care and lengthy waiting lists at existing clinics exacerbate the issue.

Associate Professor Cheung asserted, “Providing gender-affirming hormone therapy has immense benefits on reducing suicide risk and improving the mental health of trans people.

This is critical given the alarming rates seen in the trans community in Australia. Improving awareness about the benefits of hormonal therapy in trans people and better supporting GPs to provide gender-affirming care will be lifesaving for many.”

The study underscores the urgent need for improved access to gender-affirming care and highlights the transformative potential of such treatment on the mental well-being of transgender individuals.

By reducing barriers to care and raising awareness about the positive impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy, healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in improving the lives and mental health outcomes of transgender individuals in Australia and beyond.



Spread the love
  • Coloring Digital Mandalas Can Improve Your Mental Health, Study Says

    Coloring Digital Mandalas Can Improve Your Mental Health, Study Says

    Researchers at Lancaster University are digitally transforming the art of…

  • Is Playing Wordle An Effective Brain Workout?

    Experts explain how the latest word-game app, Wordle, improves our…

  • The FMRP Protein In Neurons Help In Learning And Memory, Study Finds

    The FMRP Protein In Neurons Help In Learning And Memory, Study Finds

    American researchers show how the FMRP protein in neurons works…

  • Humans Display Context-Dependent Behavior In Society, Research Reveals

    Humans Display Context-Dependent Behavior In Society, Research Reveals

    Researchers show how humans display context-dependent behavior while interacting in…

  • Higher Educational Attainment Prevents Dementia, Study Finds

    Higher Educational Attainment Prevents Dementia, Study Finds

    Finnish researchers show how higher educational attainment helps prevent cardiovascular…

  • Migraines Prevent People From Going To Work, Study Says

    Migraines Prevent People From Going To Work, Study Says

    Researchers warn about the severity of headache disorders and their…

  • Bedtime Media Use Makes You Sleep Less, Research Reveals

    Bedtime Media Use Makes You Sleep Less, Research Reveals

    Researchers warn how bedtime media use harms your sleep schedule.

  • Scientists Discover Neuropixels To Record Brain Activity

    Scientists Discover Neuropixels To Record Brain Activity

    Researchers have discovered a tool called Neuropixels to record brain…

  • Recognizing How Social Media Affects The Mental Health of Young Indians

    Experts voice the need to regulate social media use in…

  • Covid-19 Vaccines Improve Mental Health, Research Finds

    Covid-19 Vaccines Improve Mental Health, Research Finds

    Researchers at the research group, Elsevier, show how Covid-19 vaccines…

  • India Is Shifting Gears About Mental Health, Says Deepika Padukone’s Foundation

    Several surveys are noting the changing approach towards mental health…

  • Major Depressive Disorder Mostly Remains Untreated Globally, Study Reveals

    Major Depressive Disorder Mostly Remains Untreated Globally, Study Reveals

    A study published in PLOS Medicine reveals the disparity in…

  • The Brain Region Of Hippocampus Organizes Memories In A Sequence, Study Finds

    The Brain Region Of Hippocampus Organizes Memories In A Sequence, Study Finds

    Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, shed light into…

  • Heart Attack Reduces the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease, Study Says

    Heart Attack Reduces the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease, Study Says

    Researchers from Denmark show how heart attack survivors are at…

  • The Biological Clock Does Not Influence Task Performance, Study Suggests

    The Biological Clock Does Not Influence Task Performance, Study Suggests

    Researchers show how you can increase your task performance without…

  • Coming To Terms With The Mental Health “Pandemic” In Indian School Children

    The closure of schools has triggered a mental health “crisis”…

  • Study Links Increased Duty At Home And Work To Weight Gain In Middle Age

    Study Links Increased Duty At Home And Work To Weight Gain In Middle Age

    A study surveys middle-aged people and reveals how family and…

  • How Do We Come To Terms With The Indian Reality Of Social Exclusion?

    Mental health professionals and social scientists provide insight into the…

  • Impatient And Risk-tolerant People Are Prone To Committing Crimes, Study Finds

    Impatient And Risk-tolerant People Are Prone To Committing Crimes, Study Finds

    Researchers at the University of Copenhagen show how personal preferences…

  • Your Smartphone Identifies You By How You Use Apps, Study Shows

    Your Smartphone Identifies You By How You Use Apps, Study Shows

    A study shows how softwares in smartphones identify you by…

  • Study Reveals The Genetic Link Between Depression And Alzheimer’s Disease

    Study Reveals The Genetic Link Between Depression And Alzheimer’s Disease

    A new study warns how depression leads to Alzheimer’s disease…

  • Juvenile Fibromyalgia: New Study Analyzes Brain Changes

    Juvenile Fibromyalgia: New Study Analyzes Brain Changes

    Researchers at the University of Barcelona show how early symptoms…

  • Coworker Support Enhances Positivity At Work And Home, Research Finds

    Coworker Support Enhances Positivity At Work And Home, Research Finds

    Researchers at the University of Bath’s School of Management show…

  • Green Spaces In Hospitals Reduce Stress, Study Finds

    Green Spaces In Hospitals Reduce Stress, Study Finds

    Researchers at West Virginia University show how healthcare spaces can…

  • ‘Math’ Neurons In The Brain Are Fired During Mental Math, Study Finds

    ‘Math’ Neurons In The Brain Are Fired During Mental Math, Study Finds

    Spread the loveBrain News – Two teams of researchers in…

  • Can You Secure Patient Confidentiality In Mental Health Programs At Your Workplace?

    With the 2017 Mental Health Act mandating mental health at…

  • Students With Attention Problems Are Likely To Cheat In Exams, Study Finds

    Students With Attention Problems Are Likely To Cheat In Exams, Study Finds

    Spread the lovePsychology News – Researchers at the Ohio State…