Voice-related gender dysphoria: quality of life in hormone naïve trans male individuals

Objectives: This study investigates voice-related gender dysphoria and its impact on quality of life in hormone-naïve trans male individuals. Methods: The study was conducted by the Gender Dysphoria Clinic and Voice Clinic of a tertiary hospital referral center. Seventeen hormone naïve trans males referred to Voice Clinic and completed all the scales in a single sitting were included. Voice Handicap Index-10, Voice-Related Quality of Life, Transsexual Voice Questionnaire, and Self-Perception of Voice Masculinity Scale were used to assess voice-related gender dysphoria and quality of life. Results: Voice-related measures scores were seen to be significantly adversely af-fected in the pretreatment period when compared with normative data. All the three instruments showed a signifi-cantly strong correlation with each other. The voice-related quality of life showed an increasing trend in accordance with the current self-perception of voice masculinity. This group's future voice desire showed variation among individuals. Discussion: Trans male individuals cannot be considered as a homogeneous group in terms of voice gender perception and expectation. Considering the heterogeneity, individually tailored management strategies should be established. Voice-related gender dysphoria should be evaluated and managed carefully from the very beginning for treatment-seeking trans male individuals [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2020; 21(1.000): 53-60]