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Summary: Background & aims: Accurate fat mass (FM) and muscle mass (MM) assessment is an informative marker of an individual's health. However, the optimal method for assessing body composition in transgender men remains to be determined. Here, we aim to compare body composition estimates in transgender men by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) using the reference settings for “males” and “females” and by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study investigating the body composition of 10 transgender men undergoing hormonal therapy using BIA and DXA scans. Results: BIA yielded significantly different estimates of body composition depending on the use of either “female” or “male” settings (P

Background: Persons with assigned male sex at birth (AMAB) might wish to obtain feminization and/or demasculinization according to the person's gender identity and are therefore treated with estradiol and/or antiandrogens. Aim: The aim was to evaluate biochemical changes and side effects in AMAB individuals treated with guideline-based feminizing hormone treatment (FHT). Methods: Medical charts of 99 AMAB individuals ≥ 18 years referred to the Center for Gender Identity; Aalborg University hospital, Denmark, between January 2017 and July 2019 were reviewed to identify adverse side effects. Furthermore, data from the laboratory information system (Labka II) were retrieved to obtain biochemical parameters. Biochemical plasma concentrations after initiation of FHT were compared to concentrations prior to FHT and to existing guidelines. Outcomes: After 11–19 months, 29% of the trans feminine individuals had plasma estradiol concentrations within the treatment target. Results: The plasma concentration of estradiol varies greatly during FHT. Plasma levels of estrogen were within the treatment target after 11–19 months of treatment, whereas 100% had concentrations within the reference range for premenopausal cis-women. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of lipids and hematological parameters approached female reference ranges after 11 months of FHT. Clinical Implications: The target levels of plasma estradiol concentrations during FHT could be expanded, making the wanted physiological changes easier to obtain. Strengths & Limitation: This cohort study included 99 AMAB individuals and biochemical evaluation was possible in 67 individuals. Only one individual was lost during follow-up. However, the follow-up period was limited making evaluation of long-term side effects impossible. Conclusion: Plasma concentration of estradiol varies greatly during guideline based FHT, making plasma estradiol levels within the target level difficult to attain.JA Hojbjerg, AD Højgaard, A-M Hvas. Biochemical Changes During the First Year of Feminizing Hormone Therapy in Transfeminine Individuals. Sex Med 2021;10:100472.

Background: Neonatal male circumcision is a painful skin-breaking procedure that may affect infant physiological and behavioral stress responses as well as mother-infant interaction. Due to the plasticity of the developing nociceptive system, neonatal pain might carry long-term consequences on adult behavior. In this study, we examined whether infant male circumcision is associated with long-term psychological effects on adult socio-affective processing. Methods: We recruited 408 men circumcised within the first month of life and 211 non-circumcised men and measured socio-affective behaviors and stress via a battery of validated psychometric scales. Results: Early-circumcised men reported lower attachment security and lower emotional stability while no differences in empathy or trust were found. Early circumcision was also associated with stronger sexual drive and less restricted socio-sexuality along with higher perceived stress and sensation seeking. Limitations: This is a cross-sectional study relying on self-reported measures from a US population. Conclusions: Our findings resonate with the existing literature suggesting links between altered emotional processing in circumcised men and neonatal stress. Consistent with longitudinal studies on infant attachment, early circumcision might have an impact on adult socio-affective traits or behavior.