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Pelvic Pain in the Transgender Man

  • Care for the Transgender Patients (C Ferrando, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to update readers on the multifactorial nature of pelvic pain with specific considerations for the female to male (FtM) transgender patient.

Recent Findings

Secondary effects of testosterone therapy include both genital and musculoskeletal changes that may contribute to the development of pelvic pain. Hysterectomy is therapeutic for gender affirmation and underlying pain conditions. Postsurgical pain from further pelvic reconstruction may be the result of the reconstruction itself, surgical scarring, or prostheses.

Summary

Pelvic pain is a common condition with many contributing factors. For the FtM patient, pelvic pain may be present at any point in the transition process. Pain conditions may be pre-existing or occur as a result of medical or surgical treatment of gender dysphoria. Research is needed on sex hormone-specific influences on the development of pelvic pain and mitigation strategies for treatment-specific development of pelvic pain in the transgender population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Janelle K. Moulder

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orlando VA Medical Center, Orlando, FL, USA

    Jorge Carrillo

  3. University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Orlando, FL, USA

    Jorge Carrillo

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Erin T. Carey

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  1. Janelle K. Moulder
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Correspondence to Janelle K. Moulder.

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Dr. Moulder reports personal fees from Hologic, outside the submitted work.

Dr. Carrillo reports personal fees from Abbvie, outside the submitted work.

Dr. Carey reports personal fees from Teleflex, personal fees from Med IQ, personal fees from MT ACOG, personal fees and other from Medical Expert in Surgery Litigation, outside the submitted work.

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Moulder, J.K., Carrillo, J. & Carey, E.T. Pelvic Pain in the Transgender Man. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 9, 138–145 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-020-00293-x

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