Lactation Induction in a Transgender Woman: Macronutrient Analysis and Patient Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Lactation Biology
• Gender-Affirming Care

Background:

• Induced lactation in non-gestational parents offers benefits like enhanced bonding and nutrition.
• For transgender individuals on hormone therapy, producing milk can be a gender-affirming experience.
• Previous studies lacked nutritional analysis of milk from transgender women undergoing induced lactation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the experience of a transgender woman who successfully induced lactation.
• To analyze the nutritional quality of human milk produced by a transgender mother.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of induced lactation in transgender women.

Main Methods:

• Modification of hormone therapy and use of domperidone as a galactogogue.
• Implementation of breast pumping and direct breastfeeding.
• Detailed description of medications, laboratory tests, and milk analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful co-feeding of infant for the first 4 months of life.
• Analysis revealed robust macronutrient content in the produced human milk.
• Participant reported a positive and affirming personal experience.

Conclusions:

• Human milk from transgender women on hormone therapy is nutritionally adequate for infants.
• Induced lactation supports infant nutrition and offers significant personal benefits for transgender parents.
• Findings support the importance of induced lactation for gender affirmation and parent-child bonding.