Trans youth's experiences of sexuality & taking hormone blockers V1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  How do gender-diverse young people who are accessing the hormone blocker speak about their understanding and experiences of their sexualities? A narrative analysis of qualitative interviews with young people aged 16+, who are accessing hormone-blocking treatment.

• IRAS ID

  279857

• Contact name

  Ruth O' Gorman

• Contact email

  ruth.o'gorman@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Essex

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 2 days

• Research summary

  This research study aims to begin to address the gap in our understanding of the impact, if any, of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Analogues, known colloquially as ‘the hormone blocker’, on the experiences of sexuality of gender diverse young people.
  Sexuality is often an important and central part of adolescents’ lives. Studies with gender-diverse adults accessing physical interventions such as gender-affirming hormones have found that many individuals attribute changes in aspects of their sexuality, such as attraction and drive, to these interventions. No equivalent studies have taken place to give young people accessing the hormone blocker space to give voice to their experiences with this intervention.
  Eligible participants are young people who are currently in receipt of the hormone blocker as part of their care with the Gender Identity Development Service who will be aged 16 years or older at the time of their participation in a qualitative interview. Participants will be approached via their allocated clinicians within the service if they feel that this invitation would be appropriate on the basis of their knowledge of the young person.
  The study will be conducted in person if covid restrictions allow, or remotely via telephone and secure video link services such as AccurX, or, with the participants’ consent, Zoom or Skype. Participants will take part in a confidential qualitative interview of approximately one hour with the chief investigator. One main generative question is asked, followed by prompts to allow the participant to expand on topics raised. The interview is non-directive and the young person can decide what they wish to share regarding their experiences of taking the 'hormone blocker', and the impact, if any, they perceive the intervention or its side effects as having on their experience of sexuality. The study will be ongoing for approximately 18 months following receipt of ethical approval.

• REC name

  North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  21/NE/0173

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Nov 2021

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion