Bone Health in the Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth Population

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the scientific evidence on bone health in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth.

Recent findings: Gender-affirming medical therapies may be introduced during a key window of skeletal development in TGD adolescents. Before treatment, low bone density for age is more prevalent than expected in TGD youth. Bone mineral density Z-scores decrease with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and differentially respond to subsequent estradiol or testosterone. Risk factors for low bone density in this population include low body mass index, low physical activity, male sex designated at birth, and vitamin D deficiency. Peak bone mass attainment and implications for future fracture risk are not yet known. TGD youth have higher than expected rates of low bone density prior to initiation of gender-affirming medical therapy. More studies are needed to understand the skeletal trajectories of TGD youth receiving medical interventions during puberty.

Keywords: Bone health; Gender-affirming hormone therapy; Gender-affirming medical therapy; Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist; Transgender and gender diverse youth.