Changes in temperature perception in transgender persons undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Sex disparities exist in temperature perception, with lower thresholds in individuals assigned female at birth.
• The role of sex hormones in these disparities and their underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of sex hormones on temperature perception in transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).
• To compare temperature and pain thresholds between transgender and cisgender individuals.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational cohort study measured temperature detection, pain thresholds, and subjective temperature sensation in transgender women and men before and after GAHT.
• A control group of cisgender women and men without hormone treatment was included for comparison.

Main Results:

• Individuals assigned female at birth exhibited lower temperature detection thresholds than those assigned male at birth.
• Transgender women on GAHT showed decreased temperature detection thresholds.
• No significant differences in pain detection thresholds were observed between sexes or over time.

Conclusions:

• Gender-affirming hormone therapy with estradiol and cyproterone acetate increases temperature sensitivity in transgender women, mirroring cisgender women's sensitivity.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the neurobiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these hormonal influences on temperature perception.