title: Utilization of health care among female-to-male transgender individuals in the United States.
abstract: Female-To-Male (FTM) transgender individuals were approached at a conference and several peer support groups in the United States and asked to complete a short questionnaire regarding their medical care. Results from the 122 completed questionnaires indicated that a high number of respondents were taking testosterone (n = 106) and had some gender-confirming surgery (n = 68). Seventy percent of respondents rated their overall quality of health care "good" or "excellent." A surprising finding was the low number (7%) reporting diagnoses of polycystic ovarian syndrome--the incidence of which has been reported elsewhere as high as 50%. Also notable were the high levels of employment, insurance, knowledge of standards of care, and access to providers, contrasting with reports from studies involving predominantly Male-To-Female (MTF) individuals. Finally, FTM's usage of transition-related medical resources can vary, but many within this study are foregoing genital surgery.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, USA. krachlin@aol.com
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rachlin
authors.forename: Jamison
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lombardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone