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Sexual function of transgender assigned female at birth seeking gender affirming care: a narrative review

International Journal of Impotence Research (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Sexual health is pivotal to the overall health and well-being of individuals. To date, transgender persons’ sexual function results to be poorly investigated. Gender affirming medical and/or surgical treatments (GAMSTs) in transgender assigned female at birth (t-AFAB) can have an impact on overall quality of life and subsequently on sexual life. Before GAMSTs, literature shows a low sexual wellbeing of t-AFAB due to a complex interaction of organic and psychological factors. During gender affirming hormone therapy, testosterone treatments induce virilization that results in a better sexual satisfaction, in particular for sexual desire, arousal and orgasm. The majority of the available literature reports an increased sexual quality of life among t-AFAB after gender affirming surgery. Nevertheless, the different surgical techniques, the possible post-operative complications and sexual pain can negatively influence sexual function. Thus, this narrative review aims to summarize the available data about modifications on sexual health status in t-AFAB before and after GAMSTs. In transgender population, dealing with the evaluation of sexual life and satisfaction represents a relevant topic with a view to promote and sustain not only sexual wellbeing but especially general quality of life.

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  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Lorenzo Marinelli, Serena Cagnina, Andreina Bichiri, Domiziana Magistri, Chiara Crespi & Giovanna Motta

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  1. Lorenzo Marinelli
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LM and GM conceived and designed the review. LM, SC, AB and DM wrote the original draft of the manuscript. CC and GM conducted a critical revision of the paper and supervised the entire work. All authors approved the final version of the article.

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Correspondence to Lorenzo Marinelli or Giovanna Motta.

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Marinelli, L., Cagnina, S., Bichiri, A. et al. Sexual function of transgender assigned female at birth seeking gender affirming care: a narrative review. Int J Impot Res (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-023-00711-7

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