JAMA Netw Open

Hormone therapy tied to reduced depressive symptoms in transgender adults

March 19, 2025

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a critical intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse (TGD) adults. Consider incorporating GAHT into treatment plans for TGD individuals experiencing moderate to severe depression and emphasizing the need for gender-affirming primary care models.

Study design: LEGACY was an observational cohort study conducted in federally qualified community health centers in Boston and New York, following 3,592 TGD adults from 2016 to 2019. Participants were aged 18 years or older, had a gender identity different from sex at birth, and had a past 12-month medical visit.

Results: At baseline, 84.5% of individuals were prescribed GAHT and 15.3% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Patients prescribed GAHT had a statistically significantly lower risk of moderate to severe depressive symptoms over follow-up compared with those not prescribed GAHT (adjusted risk ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.98).

Source:

Reisner SL, et al. (2025, March 3). JAMA Netw Open. Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy and Depressive Symptoms Among Transgender Adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40094660/