Gender Identity Milestones and Hormone Utilization in Transgender Men and Women in China

Little is known about how gender identity develops and how it affects gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) utilization among transgender people in China.

To investigate gender identity development among Chinese transgender men (TM) and transgender women (TW) and to explore how identity-related factors are associated with GAHT utilization.

This cross-sectional study is based on the latest Chinese Transgender Health Survey targeting the transgender population in China conducted from May to December in 2021. Data analysis was completed in December 2024. Participants were recruited online via snowball sampling.

The primary outcomes are the timing of gender identity development milestones (first perception of gender incongruence, confirmation, disclosure, and initiating GAHT) and GAHT utilization status. Multivariable binary logistic regression identified factors associated with GAHT-related behaviors and feedback.

A total of 4296 transgender people (1462 TM [34.0%] and 2834 TW [66.0%]; median [IQR] age, 21 [18-24] years) were included in the final analysis. The age distribution of first perceived gender incongruence exhibited a bimodal pattern, with peak occurrences at ages 5 to 6 and at 12 years. The median (IQR) ages at gender identity development milestones were all younger for TM than for TW: 6 (4-10) years vs 9 (6-12) years for perception, 14 (11-16) years vs 15 (12-17) years for confirmation, and 16 (14-19) years vs 17 (15-20) years for disclosure, whereas the age of initiating GAHT was older in TM than in TW (median [IQR] age, 19 [17-22] years vs 18 [16-21] years). The demand for GAHT (3759 participants [87.5%]), usage (2247 participants [52.3%]), and the rate of valid prescriptions among hormone users (339 participants [15.1%]) have all increased significantly compared with 2017. Being a TW and without a college education were associated with starting GAHT before age 16 years, while being a TM, having family disclosure of gender identity, and having official prescriptions were associated with positive feedback on GAHT.

In this cross-sectional study of Chinese TM and TW, gender identity development differed by gender, with TM recognizing incongruence earlier and TW progressing faster in initiating GAHT. Both groups showed strong demand for GAHT. Despite recent improvements in GAHT service accessibility, challenges persist in medical accessibility. These findings highlight the need for personalized support for transgender youths and underscore the importance of improving formal transgender health care services in China to enhance the well-being of this population.