Hormonal Treatments for Transgender Athletes and Athletes with a Difference of Sex Development; Chapter 27

Abstract

Over the past fifteen years, considerable attention has been paid to the cases of transgender athletes or athletes with a difference of sex development. Beyond the controversy over whether these individuals are eligible to compete in the female category, it is important to remember that hormone treatments are often prescribed to these athletes. It is therefore recommended to know these treatments, their indications, and their use incompliance with sports and anti-doping regulations. Introduction Definitions Sex relates to the attributes that characterize biological maleness or femaleness. It includes chromosomal(including genes) sex, the gonads, sexual hormones, internal and external genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics. It is different than gender which relates to external manifestations of someone’s gender, which can include name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behaviour, voice, or body characteristics (gender expression) and the person’s internal sense of gender not visible to others (experienced gender). Gender non-conformity is a situation experienced by an individual where a mismatch between his/her gender identity and his/her sex assigned at birth exists. Should this mismatch be the cause of a clinically significant distress, the condition is reported as gender dysphoria. A gender non conform person commonly identifies himself/herself as a transgender. [...].