Exploring the effect of testosterone hormone therapy on urinary incontinence in transmasculine patients
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Abstract
The side effects of testosterone for transgender men are often overlooked and under-researched. Urinary incontinence in the form of overactive bladder disorder, stress incontinence, and mixed incontinence may arise or be exacerbated by use of testosterone. Using menopause and other similar hormonal transitions such as pregnancy as a reference, the purpose of this thesis is to fully understand the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on transgender people assigned female at birth, and to fully understand the effect of testosterone replacement therapy on the pelvic floor and why there is a potential increased incidence of urinary incontinence. Menopause and pregnancy are used as reference because these are hormonal transitions associated with a decrease in estrogen levels. The decrease in estrogen causes a looseness in the connective tissue structures, which leads to a lack of support in the pelvic floor muscles, causing a urinary incontinence. With a comparison between menopause, pregnancy, and testosterone replacement therapy established, potential solutions to stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder disorder will be explored.