The Effect of Tucking on Semen Quality of Adult Trans Women

Because gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) can lead to fertility impairment, current guidelines and treatment recommendations require that patients be informed about the possibility of fertility preservation prior to initiating GAHT. A recent review by our working group analyzed the current data on fertility and fertility preservation in transgender and gender diverse people. Several studies were identified that evaluated semen quality before and during GAHT in trans women compared to reproductive men. All studies showed a significant reduction in semen quality even before GAHT. In addition, one study found evidence that constant wearing of tight underwear and tucking was associated with a reduction in motile sperm concentration to <5 mill/ml. Tucking is a method of avoiding crotch bulge through the penis and testicles by placing the penis backwards between the legs and optionally pushing the testicles into the groin canals. These positions are fixed with tight-fitting underwear or gaffs. Whether tucking or the wearing of tight underwear is the determining factor for impaired semen quality even before the start of GAHT and whether there is reversibility remains unclear and will be investigated in the present study.

The study is designed as a prospective case-control study with a total sample size of n = 40 trans women. All patients with gender incongruence presenting to the University Clinic for Gynecology, Endocrinology and Reproduction Innsbruck before starting GAHT are eligible to participate. Trans women (n = 20) who practice tucking or wear tight underwear will be included and trans women (n = 20) who do not practice tucking will be included as a control group. At Time 1, after 2-7 days of abstinence, all participants will provide a semen sample for a spermiogram, a venous blood sample will be taken, and quality of life will be assessed using a questionnaire. The frequency and duration of tucking or wearing tight underwear, ejaculation frequency, demographic data such as BMI, nicotine use, alcohol and drug use, medication use, underlying medical conditions, previous surgeries, etc. are also recorded.

Participants in the study group are then asked to abstain tucking for at least 73 days. After 2-7 days of sperm abstinence, another semen sample is taken at time 2, a venous blood sample is taken, and quality of life is assessed. At this point, depending on the participant's wishes, there is the option of sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation prior to starting GAHT.

Spermiograms are performed under standardized conditions according to current WHO guidelines.