Two Transgender Men Receiving Subdermal Testosterone Pellets for Gender Affirmation.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Gender-affirming care

Background:

• Testosterone therapy is crucial for gender affirmation in transgender men.
• Subdermal testosterone pellets represent a less common delivery method.
• This report details two cases of transgender men using testosterone pellets.

Observation:

• Patient 1, a 47-year-old transgender man, switched from injections to pellets due to a desire for long-acting formulation. Pellets were well-tolerated but he returned to injections.
• Patient 2, a 20-year-old transgender man, opted for pellets to avoid injection pain and seek a long-acting option.
• Both patients experienced typical masculinizing effects from testosterone.

Findings:

• Subdermal testosterone pellets were generally well-tolerated in the reported cases.
• One patient preferred returning to injections despite pellet tolerance.
• The dosage used was comparable to that for hypogonadal cisgender men.

Implications:

• Subdermal testosterone pellets may be a viable option for testosterone delivery in transgender men.
• The limited number of cases precludes definitive conclusions.
• A prospective controlled study is recommended to evaluate testosterone pellets for transgender men.