Transgender and nonbinary individuals using gender-affirming hormone therapy perceived it to improve cardiovascular health, with three main themes identified: cardiovascular health was not a primary concern in decision-making, improved well-being from GAHT was felt to contribute to improved cardiovascular health, and health care provider knowledge and attitude facilitate the transition process.
Key Findings
Results
Cardiovascular health was not a primary concern in the decision-making process regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy among transgender and nonbinary individuals.
This was identified as one of three main themes from qualitative analysis of 21 participant interviews.
Participants prioritized gender-affirming goals over cardiovascular health considerations when initiating hormone therapy.
Semistructured interviews were conducted via videoconference between May and August 2023.
Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed independently by 3 reviewers using thematic analysis.
Results
Improved well-being associated with gender-affirming hormone therapy was perceived by participants to contribute to improved cardiovascular health.
This was identified as the second of three main themes from thematic analysis.
Participants drew a positive association between the psychological and physical well-being gains from GAHT and their cardiovascular health.
The paper notes that 'gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender and nonbinary individuals is perceived to improve cardiovascular health.'
Self-rated health is described as 'an important predictor of health outcomes,' contextualizing the significance of these perceptions.
Results
Health care provider knowledge and attitude were perceived to facilitate the gender transition process for transgender and nonbinary individuals.
This was identified as the third of three main themes from thematic analysis.
Participants highlighted the role of provider competence and attitudes in supporting their transition and health care experiences.
The study recruited English-speaking transgender and nonbinary adults using GAHT for 3 months or more from across Canada using purposive and snowball sampling methods.
21 participants were interviewed, including 8 transgender women, 9 transgender men, and 3 nonbinary individuals.
Methods
The study sample consisted of 21 transgender and nonbinary adults with a median age of 27 years, predominantly White, recruited from across Canada.
Sample included 8 transgender women, 9 transgender men, and 3 nonbinary individuals.
Median (range) age was 27 (20–69) years.
80% of participants identified as White.
Eligibility required English-speaking adults using gender-affirming hormone therapy for 3 months or more.
Recruitment used purposive and snowball sampling methods.
Conclusions
The authors concluded that findings regarding perceived cardiovascular health improvements from GAHT should be considered in shared decision-making and person-centered care.
The paper states these findings should be considered 'as part of shared decision-making and person-centered care.'
The authors noted 'positive associations between care aligned with patient priorities, self-rated health, and health outcomes' as rationale.
Transgender and nonbinary individuals face 'substantial cardiovascular health uncertainties' as identified in the background.
The qualitative design was chosen to explore perceptions rather than measure clinical cardiovascular outcomes.