Continuation of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Five of six included studies reported GAHT discontinuation rates under 10%.

• Six studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria, published between 2021 and 2024.
• Five studies reported GAHT discontinuation rates under 10%.
• One study reported a discontinuation/lost to follow-up rate of 30.8%.
• Studies were identified through a PubMed search from 2009 until April 01, 2024.

Only one of the six included studies was prospective, while all other studies were retrospective in design.

• Five of the six included studies used retrospective designs.
• Only one study was prospective.
• Two independent authors screened studies for inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Studies were published between 2021 and 2024.

Reasons for GAHT discontinuation were described in only two of the six included studies.

• Only 2 of the 6 included studies provided data on reasons for discontinuation.
• One study reported GAHT discontinuation primarily from external factors.
• The other study suggested that GAHT discontinuation occurred due to change in gender identity.
• Both external pressures and internal change of gender identity were identified as reasons for discontinuation.

The literature on GAHT discontinuation rates and contributing factors remains limited and incompletely understood.

• The authors note that discontinuation rates and factors leading to discontinuation of GAHT are 'not fully understood.'
• Only 6 studies met inclusion criteria from a search spanning 2009 to April 2024.
• The authors concluded that 'a better understanding of the internal and external pressures that impact the decision to continue GAHT is needed in future studies.'
• The variability in reported discontinuation rates (under 10% vs. 30.8%) suggests heterogeneity across study populations and methodologies.