Bone health in transgender individuals

Worldwide, the number of individuals presenting gender incongruence (GI) and seeking medical care is increasing. Whilst care pathways for GI have become more individualised, most cases lead to the choice of cross-sex hormones (CSH) therapy with or without sex reassignment surgery. Possible long-term complications associated with these therapies, including musculoskeletal disorders, have been a matter of concern in transgender populations.

In this course, Professor Jean-Marc Kaufman will summarise the effects of sex steroid therapy and its influence on bone health in transgender individuals. He will review the clinical aspects of screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis and the treatment of low bone mass in transgender individuals, and their risk of fractures.

Key Learning Objectives of this course include:

• To understand the effects of CSH therapy and its impact on body composition, bone density and bone turnover markers
• To review the clinical aspects of screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis
• To learn appropriate approaches for the clinical management of bone health in transgender individuals