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Transgender Post-reassignment Urogynecologic Measures and Perceptions

Conditions
Voiding Disorders
Sexual Dysfunction
Gender Identity Disorder of Adult
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Questionnaire packet
Other: Focus group interviews
Registration Number
NCT03293771
Lead Sponsor
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Brief Summary

The intent of this mixed methods study for transgender women after gender confirmation surgery is to characterize and subsequently create a validated screening questionnaire for postoperative urologic and pelvic floor symptoms. For individuals who seek gender-confirming treatment, about 13% undergo genital surgery for cosmetic purposes with or without gonadectomy, and this number is increasing. Patient satisfaction following surgery is high, particularly regarding sexual and cosmetic outcomes; however, unexpected negative functional outcomes such as bowel and bladder dysfunction and pelvic organ prolapse impact overall patient satisfaction. The available information suggests that 16-33% of patients experience incontinence postoperatively, with stress predominance, 32-47% experience abnormal voiding, and 24-66% experience overactive bladder symptoms. Outside of the typically assessed voiding symptoms, unique complaints of MTF postoperative patients include obstructive voiding symptoms due to urethral stenosis, persistent perimeatal erectile tissue, prostatic hypertrophy, and irritation from neovaginal tissue. Additionally, may of these patients develop symptomatic neovaginal prolapse, requiring re-suspension. We suggest that further clarification regarding MTF postoperative urologic and pelvic floor complaints can be achieved via a mixed methods approach. By using focus group interviews to create specific evaluative questions for this unique population, we can then prospectively assess patients undergoing surgery via a national multicenter sampling strategy. The goal of the study is to better understand the unique symptoms these women experience and create a validated, reliable screening questionnaire to monitor patients after surgery.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria
  • Stage 1 -- Male-to-female transgender women who are at least 4 weeks postoperative following genital surgery for gender confirmation
  • Stage 2 -- Male-to-female transgender women who are scheduled to undergo surgery or are within 4 weeks postoperative
  • Both stages -- Minimum age 18 years old
  • Both stages -- English fluency
  • Both stages -- Reliable contact information and/or permanent residence
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Preexisting pelvic pathology, including abnormal anatomy or baseline voiding dysfunction
  • Urinary or intestinal problems prior to surgery lasting greater than 6 weeks
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Stage 2 Questionnaire GroupsQuestionnaire packetStage 2 participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire packet after surgery followed by a second questionnaire completion 2 weeks later. Participants' operative notes and postoperative visit records will be reviewed.
Stage 1 Focus GroupsFocus group interviewsThe focus groups will involve transgender women who have completed gender confirmation surgery who volunteer to discuss their postoperative experience regarding bladder function, genital complaints, and sexual function.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stage 1: Focus groups3 months

Characterization of genital, urologic, bowel, and sexual symptoms following male-to-female gender confirmation surgery

Stage 2: Questionnaire testing12 months

Validity and reliability testing of new questionnaire

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Frequency and severity of symptoms15 months

Frequency and severity of symptoms

Relationship between surgical technique and symptoms15 months

Relationship between surgical technique and symptoms

Effect of hormonal therapy usage and symptoms15 months

Effect of hormonal therapy usage and symptoms

Length of time since surgery and development of symptoms15 months

Length of time since surgery and development of symptoms

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Weill Cornell Medicine

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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