Efficacy of topical minoxidil in enhancing beard growth in a group of transgender assigned female at birth individuals on gender affirming hormone therapy.

Topical minoxidil produced statistically significant facial hair growth in t-AFAB individuals on GAHT by 6 months.

• 16 t-AFAB individuals with incomplete beard development on GAHT for at least 6 months were enrolled.
• At T6, median upper lip Ferriman-Gallwey modified score (FGm) was 3.5 [3-4] compared to 2 [1-2] at T0.
• At T6, median chin FGm was 4 [3.25-4] compared to 1 [1-2] at T0.
• Statistical significance was reached at T6 with p ≤ 0.002 using paired match evaluation.
• Assessments were performed before starting treatment (T0), after 3 months (T3), and after 6 months (T6).

Pre-existing hirsutism before GAHT was independently and positively associated with development of a full beard using GAHT alone.

• A control group of n=16 individuals matched for age and BMI who developed a full-grown beard with GAHT alone was compared to the minoxidil group.
• Logistic multivariable analysis identified hirsutism before GAHT as independently positively associated with full beard development.
• The odds ratio for hirsutism before GAHT was 15.22 (95% CI 1.46–158.82), p = 0.023.

The study population consisted of relatively young t-AFAB individuals who had been on GAHT for a substantial duration prior to enrollment.

• Subjects were 26 (±2.7) years old on average.
• Median duration on GAHT was 18.5 [15–54] months at the time of enrollment.
• All participants had incomplete beard development despite being on GAHT for at least 6 months.

This study represents the first investigation of topical minoxidil for enhancing facial hair growth specifically in t-AFAB individuals on GAHT.

• Minoxidil is a vasodilator drug approved for topical use in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
• The authors state this is 'the first study demonstrating the efficacy of topical minoxidil in enhancing facial hair growth among t-AFAB people on GAHT.'
• Further studies were noted as necessary to assess whether improvements persist after discontinuing the medication.