Blood Pressure Dynamics After Pubertal Suppression with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs Followed by Testosterone Treatment in Transgender Male Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose: We analyzed blood pressure (BP) changes in transgender male adolescents treated with gonadotropinreleasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) and after adding testosterone treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective pilot study. Outcome measures included systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) before and after GnRHa initiation and after adding testosterone. Results: Fifteen transgender male adolescents received GnRHa. DBP percentiles increased significantly after GnRHa treatment (from 55.9% -26.4 to 73.6% -9.4, p = 0.019). BP levels did not meet criteria for hypertension. DBP percentiles were restored after adding testosterone. Conclusion: GnRHa may increase DBP in transgender male adolescents, and testosterone treatment may restore it. Further larger studies are indicated.