Body composition and perceived stress levels in transgender individuals after one year of gender affirming hormone therapy.

TGD AFAB individuals achieved bone mineral density similar to cisgender AMAB individuals after one year of GAHT, while TGD AMAB individuals' BMD remained significantly lower than cisgender controls.

• Study assessed 181 individuals including 74 TGD participants (44 AFAB and 30 AMAB) and 107 controls (56 AFAB and 51 AMAB)
• 57 TGD participants completed follow-up one year after starting GAHT
• BMD was measured as part of body composition and bone density assessments
• TGD AMAB individuals showed persistently lower BMD relative to cisgender controls after one year of hormone therapy

TGD AFAB individuals experienced an 8% increase in muscle strength after one year of GAHT.

• Muscle strength increased by approximately 8% from baseline in TGD AFAB individuals
• This change occurred over the course of one year of gender-affirming hormone therapy
• AFAB individuals received masculinizing hormone therapy (testosterone)
• Body composition was assessed as part of the comprehensive data collection including clinical history and blood tests

TGD AMAB individuals showed a 24% increase in fat mass and an approximate 8% reduction in lean mass after one year of GAHT.

• Fat mass increased by 24% from baseline in TGD AMAB individuals
• Lean mass decreased by approximately 8% from baseline in TGD AMAB individuals
• AMAB individuals received feminizing hormone therapy
• These body composition changes reflect expected physiological responses to feminizing hormone therapy

PSS and PHQ-9 scores were initially higher in TGD individuals compared to cisgender controls and did not change significantly after one year of GAHT.

• Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
• Depression symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
• Scores did not change significantly after one year of gender-affirming hormone therapy
• TGD individuals' elevated stress and depression scores persisted relative to cisgender controls at follow-up

A significant correlation was found between body fat percentage and psychological distress scores in TGD individuals at both baseline and one year after GAHT.

• Body fat percentage correlated significantly with PHQ-9 scores at baseline
• Body fat percentage correlated significantly with PSS scores at one year after GAHT
• This correlation suggests a complex relationship between body composition and perceived stress in TGD individuals
• Higher stress levels are linked to increased body fat and decreased bone density, effects that can be exacerbated by lifestyle choices

TGD individuals face additional stress from transphobia and social stigma, which may interact with the physiological effects of GAHT on body composition and bone health.

• There is limited research on how stress affects body composition and bone health in TGD individuals, particularly in relation to GAHT
• The study compared TGD individuals to a cisgender control group of 107 individuals
• Data collected included clinical history, blood tests, body composition, bone density, and quality of life assessments
• The study highlights the need for further research on stress and health outcomes in this population