Navigation of a New-Onset Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient Receiving Female-to-Male Gender-Affirming Care: A Case Report

TL;DR

This case report highlights a potential risk of pulmonary embolism in a patient undergoing testosterone-based gender-affirming care.

Contribution

The report emphasizes a rare complication of testosterone therapy in transgender care, raising awareness among clinicians.

Findings

A patient on testosterone-based care developed a subsegmental pulmonary embolism.

The case underscores the need for clinicians to be aware of potential risks beyond estrogen-related complications.

It highlights the importance of monitoring and managing risks in gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Abstract

The growth of the transgender and/or gender diverse (TGD) community has created an increased demand for comprehensive and evidence-based gender-affirming care, especially when providing a hormone-based regimen. Although there are known risks of adverse events from receiving exogenous hormone replacement therapy, many of these risks are typically attributed to members of the TGD community receiving estrogen-based therapy. In this report, a case of a subsegmental pulmonary embolism in a male patient assigned female at birth who was actively receiving testosterone-based, female-to-male gender-affirming care is detailed. In doing so, attention is drawn to a potential complication of this approach, thereby empowering clinicians and patients alike to be cognizant of such risks while still pursuing this otherwise pivotal and necessary care.

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