Fertility preservation discussions, referral and follow-up in male-to-female and female-to-male adolescent transgender patients

Abstract

The number of patients seeking transgender healthcare is growing, and there is a potential impact of gender-affirming therapies on fertility. The use of fertility preservation (FP), particularly among transgender adolescents, has been limited. We aimed to examine differences in FP counselling, referral and utilisation between male-to-female (MtF) and female-to-male (FtM) transgender adolescents. A retrospective review of the medical records of patients ages 12-17 seen at an academic medical centre between 2012 and 2017 with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria was conducted. A total of 22 MtF and 45 FtM adolescents were included. The counselling on the potential fertility impact of gender-affirming therapy was documented in 55%, and of those counselled, 73% were counselled before receiving medication. There was no significant difference between the timing of counselling for MtF versus FtM adolescents. Of patients with documented reproductive wishes, 77% reported either desire for adopted children or no desire for biological children. Among patients offered FP referral, 2 (22.2%) MtF and 3 (12.5%) FtM patients accepted; both MtF patients cryopreserved sperm. While most adolescents were counselled on the fertility impact of gender-affirming therapy, there is room for improvement as 45% of patients had no documented counselling. The rate of transgender adolescents pursuing FP consultation and gamete cryopreservation was low, consistent with prior studies in this population.