Progesterone in Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy Study

The transgender population in the U.S. has grown significantly, highlighting a lack of comprehensive research on the safety and efficacy of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). For transgender females, GAHT typically includes estrogen and an anti-androgen. Recently, there has been growing interest in adding progesterone, based on anecdotal reports of improved breast development and quality of life. However, progesterone's role in transgender women remains unclear.

Studies have linked progesterone (mainly cyproterone acetate) to increased risks of meningiomas, elevated prolactin levels, decreased testosterone, reduced HDL levels, and higher venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. Cyproterone acetate, often studied in these contexts, is not FDA-approved in the U.S. due to hepatotoxicity, and its use in GAHT is rare. Limited research exists on micronized progesterone, the form most commonly prescribed.

A recent study on low-dose micronized progesterone found no significant effects on sleep quality, psychological distress, or breast development. To address research gaps, a new study aims to evaluate higher-dose micronized progesterone's impact on cardiovascular risk, sleep quality, breast development, and psychological distress over a longer period. The hypothesis suggests neutral effects on breast development, sleep, and quality of life, with potential negative to neutral cardiovascular effects.

Given the lack of recommendations for or against progesterone in GAHT, further research is critically needed.

Inclusion criteria

• Participants will be transgender women, who have been on gender-affirming hormone therapy for at least 6 months before the start of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Peanut allergy
• Liver disease (liver enzyme elevations and/or evidence of acute or chronic hepatitis). In our lab, the upper limit of normal for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is 39, and the upper limit of normal for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is 52.
• Stage 4/5 chronic kidney disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Medical disease or medication use associated with gynecomastia (i.e tumor, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, ACE inhibitors, statins, haloperidol, tricyclic antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics)
• Pre-existing cardiovascular disease
• Prior or current history of thromboembolism, known clotting disorders, current or recent anti-thrombotic therapy for venous thromboembolism.
• History of breast cancer
• Prior progesterone use
• Uncontrolled depression and/or suicidal ideation
• Current hypothyroidism (even if controlled with treatment) Progesterone in Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy 9 Version #4, 10/30/24
• Cannabis use of greater than 1 use/week in the past 3 months
• Previously identified BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation or other familial breast cancer.
• Abnormal mammogram (if indicated - for patients above the age of 50 and on estrogen for 5 or more years OR positive family history of breast cancer) with results of BIRADS 3 or higher. Subjects with a BIRADS 0 mammogram must have undergone additional imaging demonstrating BIRADS 1 or 2 prior to enrollment.
• Have had or are planning to undergo breast enhancement or gender affirming top surgery in the next 6 months
• Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg.
• Triglycerides ≥ 500 mg/dL.
• In our lab, the upper limit of normal for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is 39, and the upper limit of normal for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is 52.
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73m2.
• Estradiol levels outside the stable range (100-300 pg/mL)
• Heavy smoking, defined as 25+ cigarettes per day
• Non-English speaking or those with limited English proficiency