Abstract
Background and aim: Currently, there is a growing interest in transgender issues within the general population. However, there is limited literature on the reproductive desire and interest in fertility preservation among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals in Spain.
Methods: We conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey to investigate the interest in gamete preservation and the desire to have children among TGD individuals attending a reference center.
Results: A total of 109 individuals completed the survey. Among them, 61% identified as trans men (TM), 35% as trans women (TW), and 4% as non-binary (NB). The majority were of reproductive age, with 22% being minors (under 18 years of age) and 4% aged 45 years or older. Nineteen percent had not yet started medical transition, 63% were on hormonal treatment, and 18% had received both hormonal and surgical treatment. Forty-seven percent expressed a desire to have children and 30% were undecided. Reproductive desire was present in 48% of TM and 44% of TW. Only 24% preferred to have genetically related children. Fifty-nine percent of respondents believed that gamete preservation should always be offered and 19% had not previously reflected on the topic. Forty-eight percent showed personal interest in these methods or would consider them if offered. Regarding the techniques themselves, 58% of TW would be willing to undergo the procedures of gamete collection, while the same was true for 24% of TM. Forty-eight percent of all patients would refuse to undergo the procedures. Fifteen percent of the respondents stated that they did not have enough information about the reproductive options and procedures for gamete collection.
Conclusions: Our study provides insight into the reproductive desire of TGD individuals in Spain, highlighting the importance of offering the possibility of gamete preservation before medical procedures, especially those irreversible.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Izabela Jalowiecka, Marcelino Gómez-Balaguer, Patricia Cañete-San Pastor, Pablo Expósito-Campos, Felip Hurtado-Murillo, Guillermo S. Martínez-Fernández, Pablo Fernández-Collazo, Gema Zomeño-Bravo, Ana M. De Gonzalo-Santos, Carlos Morillas-Ariño