Sexual Metrics in Transgender Women: Transitioning From International Index of Erectile Function to Female Sexual Function Index.

INTRODUCTION

Feminizing gender-affirming surgery (GAS) has been an increasingly used procedure in the United States and worldwide for transgender women with gender dysphoria. Studies on patient-reported quality of life outcomes in those undergoing GAS remain limited.

OBJECTIVE

To provide recent insights from the literature on sexual metrics in the evaluation of the transgender women.

METHODS

We queried PubMed to identify studies assessing sexual function metrics in those undergoing feminizing GAS.

RESULTS

There is no single validated method to establish preoperative and postoperative sexual function. Assessment currently remains institutionally dependent. Evaluation can involve questionnaires including but not limited to the International Index of Erectile Function, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Male to Female Sexual Function Index.

CONCLUSION

In this literature review, we discuss considerations for the evaluation of sexual function for patients considering feminizing GAS with vaginoplasty. Although we describe some of the major tools currently used in evaluating sexual function in this patient population, a need for a validated method remains. Syed JS, Honig S. Sexual Metrics in Transgender Women: Transitioning From International Index of Erectile Function to Female Sexual Function Index. Sex Med Rev 2021;9:236-243.