Investigating Experiences With Scarring Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People: Mixed Methods Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical and Health Sciences
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Scarring's health effects are known in marginalized groups, but experiences among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people are under-researched.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding TGD individuals' experiences with scarring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impacts of scarring related to gender-affirming care and other causes among TGD people.
• To characterize the psychosocial and physical effects of scarring in the TGD community.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous posts and comments referencing physical scarring were extracted from Reddit subreddits r/FtM and r/MtF.
• A total of 604 posts and comments were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
• Thematic analysis identified overarching themes related to scarring experiences.

Main Results:

• The most discussed scars were from gender-affirming procedures: mastectomy (338), hormone administration (102), and hair removal (38).
• Non-gender-affirming scars, like those from self-harm (43), were less frequent.
• Key themes included concerns about physical outcomes, psychological distress, societal perceptions, coping strategies, and positive scarring experiences.

Conclusions:

• Scar complications, visibility, and permanence are major concerns for TGD individuals.
• Scarring, whether related to gender-affirming care or not, can cause significant psychosocial distress, impacting physical health, gender dysphoria, and body image.
• Improved clinical communication on scarring outcomes and scar care, alongside research into scar prevention and reduction techniques for TGD people, is recommended.