Respiratory Function in Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals on Testosterone Therapy: A Comparative Study

Introduction: The primary goal of this pilot study was to examine the impact of testosterone therapy, as part of medical treatment to align gender identity, on measures of respiration and voice. Methods: Participants consisted of a group of transgender and gender-diverse individuals, assigned female at birth, who had been taking testosterone for at least one year and a control group of age- and race-matched peers, also assigned female at birth, who had never taken testosterone. Data were collected on the primary outcomes of respiratory volume and strength, reflected by measures of forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum respiratory pressure (MEP). Descriptive statistics were generated and compared across groups. The hypothesis was FVC, MIP and MEP may be increased by testosterone, closer aligning to cisgender male norms as compared to cisgender female norms and control group. Research significance: Respiratory norms for transgender individuals do not currently exist and there is little information regarding respiratory volume and strength for these individuals. Testosterone therapy is common practice for transmen and some gender diverse individuals. Results from this study will provide data on the impact of testosterone on these individuals, whether testosterone impacts volume and strength, and discuss the implications of using cisgender respiratory norms for transgender individuals. Results and conclusion pending data analysis and will be discussed