Parenting intentions in transgender and gender-nonconforming adults

Abstract

Objective: To assess parenting intentions, knowledge and attitudes regarding fertility preservation, and barriers to achieving parenthood in an adult transgender population. Methods: This was a multi-center online cross-sectional study conducted at three university-affiliated and 15 community-affiliated clinics within a major US city. Inclusion criteria included being aged 18 years and older and self-identification as transgender, gender non-conforming or non-binary. Eighty respondents completed a 36-question survey regarding their transition and plans to achieve parenthood. We compared demographic characteristics to plan for transition using Chi-Square analysis. We compared options to achieve parenthood to plans for transition using ANOVA, Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient, and a Kruskal Wallis H test. Results: The mean desire to become a parent was 59.9 on a scale of 1–100. There was no significant association between plan for gonadectomy and reduced preference for the use of autologous gametes for parenting [H(2) = 1.309, P = 0.520]. The desire to have children was correlated with an increasing willingness to pause cross-sex hormones (rs = 0.40, P < 0.01). Cost was identified as the largest barrier to fertility preservation (54.1%). Conclusion: The majority of transgender adults surveyed desire parenthood and this could be correlated with plan for transition including willingness to suspend cross-sex hormones.