RecruitingNCT06639776

Sexual Functioning After Erection Prosthesis Placement in Post Phalloplasty Transgender Persons

Sexual Functioning After Erection Prosthesis Placement in Post Phalloplasty Transgender Persons: a Retrospective Cohort

Sponsor

University Hospital, Ghent

Enrollment

150 participants

Start Date

Jul 15, 2024

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Sexual Dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Gender Dysphoria Prosthesis Durability Transgenderism

Summary

This study aims to explore sexual satisfaction among transgender men and their partners following the placement of erectile prostheses after phalloplasty. While phalloplasty can create a neophallus, the lack of natural erectile tissue often necessitates the use of erectile aids, including internal prostheses. However, these prostheses, originally designed for cisgender men, face challenges when used in transgender patients, such as higher risks of complications, infections, and mechanical failures. Despite these issues, some studies report high patient satisfaction, though partner satisfaction rates are significantly lower. The study will use validated and non-validated questionnaires to assess satisfaction with various types of erectile prostheses, addressing the gap in understanding how these devices impact the sexual and relational functioning of both transgender men and their partners. These questionnaires will be provided to all included patients that are minimum 6 months after placement of an internal erection prosthesis and have a functional erection prosthesis in place

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria7

Patient and partner age ≥ 18 years.
Transgender or gender non-conforming individuals diagnosed according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria.
Patients have undergone phalloplasty as a form of genital gender affirming surgery (any type of flap combination or technique is allowed).
Erection prosthesis placement ≥ 6 months after phalloplasty, performed at the Ghent University Hospital. Any type of prosthesis is allowed.
Patient has a functional erectile prosthesis at the time of the study. Number of erectile prosthesis is not relevant for inclusion.
Patient is Dutch, English or French speaking.
Voluntary signed and written consent by patient and their optional partner.

Exclusion Criteria4

Patient age \< 18 years.
Cisgender patients treated with phalloplasty and/or erection prosthesis for various reasons.
The erection prosthesis has been explanted or the current prosthesis is nonfunctional at time of data assessment.
Erection prosthesis placement \< 6 months before study start will be excluded.

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Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTQuestionnaire

All erection prosthesis placements in post-phalloplasty transgender and gender non-conforming individuals at Ghent University Hospital from start of the gender clinic until June 2023 will be evaluated. All patients that are at least 6 months after erection prosthesis placement and currently have a functioning prosthesis in place are eligible and will be contacted. Upon inclusion and informed consent, the patient's medical files will be used to gather all necessary underlying medical information that is relevant to this study. will receive an email asking them to complete a questionnaire for themselves. At the end of this questionnaire the patient will be asked if they have a sexual partner and if this partner is willing to participate as well. After affirmation, the partner will be contacted in the same way. Patients will receive a series of questionnaires reviewing recent sexual activity, sexual preference, satisfaction with the erectile prosthesis and quality partner relationship.