Individuals seeking gender reassignment: marked increase in demand for services

Abstract

Aims and methodTo describe the pattern of referrals and characteristics of people aged over 18 seeking gender reassignment in Oxfordshire over a 6-year period (2011–2016).ResultsA total of 153 individuals attended for assessment (of 162 referred); 97 (63.4%) were natal males and 56 (36.6%) were natal females. Mean age at referral was markedly different between the two groups, with females being younger. The number of referral significantly increased over the time period, by an average of 18% per year (95% CI 1.08–1.30). Eighty-seven patients sought transition from male to female, and 46 from female to male, while a smaller group (n = 13) had non-binary presentations. Twelve patients (7.8%) had autism spectrum disorder.Clinical implicationsThere are various possible reasons for the increased demand for services for people with gender dysphoria, which we discuss here. When planning services in the UK, both the increase in overall referral rates and the apparent earlier age at referral should be taken into account.Declaration of interestNone.

Autism trait prevalence in treatment seeking adolescents and adults attending specialist gender services

“…Referrals to specialist gender services in Great Britain have markedly increased over recent years [12]. Moreover, the prevalence of gender dysphoria and autism has also increased [13,14], possibly explained by improved access to diagnostic services and increased awareness of autism features among clinicians and the general public.…”

A gynecology-led transgender clinic: Retrospective review of referral patterns and quality indicators

“…Transgender health clinics are mainly led by family physicians, endocrinologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists and psychologists. [10][11][12] Most clinics are multidisciplinary. 13,14 Some are structured with one specialty as the primary or initial assessor (often Psychology or Psychiatry) with subsequent referral to other specialists.…”

“…13,14 Some are structured with one specialty as the primary or initial assessor (often Psychology or Psychiatry) with subsequent referral to other specialists. 11,12,15 Transgender men and gender non-conforming individuals assigned female at birth are less likely than cisgender women to be up to date on cervical cancer screening (Absolute Odds Ratio 0.63 (CI 0.47, 0.85) and 0.33 (CI 0.14, 0.79), respectively). 16,17 Rainbow Health Ontario guidelines for transgender health care recommend that transgender men and gender non-conforming individuals with a cervix follow the same screening recommendations as cisgender women.…”

A Gynecology-Led Transgender Clinic: Retrospective Review of Referral Patterns and Quality Indicators

“…Transgender health clinics are mainly led by family physicians, endocrinologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists and psychologists. 10–12 Most clinics are multidisciplinary. 13,14 Some are structured with one specialty as the primary or initial assessor (often Psychology or Psychiatry) with subsequent referral to other specialists.…”

“…13,14 Some are structured with one specialty as the primary or initial assessor (often Psychology or Psychiatry) with subsequent referral to other specialists. 11,12,15…”