Considerations in Gender-Affirming Surgery: Demographic Trends

Abstract

The transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) population is a significant minority, comprising at least 0.6% of the population. Visibility is growing rapidly, especially in younger generations. Gender affirming health care must adapt to this population's needs. Demographic data regarding TGNB health care are limited, but several disparities are clear, stemming from sociopolitical factors, such as external discrimination and insensitive and/or uninformed care. Most self-identifying TGNB patients receive some type of nonsurgical care, including hormonal and/or mental health. Gender-affirming surgery is highly prevalent as well, with at least one-quarter of TGNB people having had some combination of the procedures in this category.

Keywords: Bottom surgery; Demographic; Disparities; Gender-affirming surgery; Phalloplasty; Prevalence; Top surgery; Transgender.