Impact of COVID-19 and Social Distancing Measures on the Medical, Social and Administrative Transition Process of People with Gender Incongruity

Objective: evaluate in people with gender incongruity of legal age, cared for in a Gender Identity Unit (UIG), the impact on health and the psychological, family, sexual and social consequences that confinement  measures and regulated social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, have occurred in the transition process.

Methodology: cross-sectional study in a cohort of people with gender incongruity obtained through  consecutive sampling between June and December 2020. The study included those who requested to start gender-affirming hormonal treatment and those who had already started it. The measurement of the  variables was carried out by means of an anonymous and confidential survey with 26 questions.

Results: the variables collected from 94 people attended are analyzed. 71.3% stated that the pandemic  control measures had affected their medical transition process due to cancellation and delay of the  scheduled consultation or delay in the start of hormonal treatment, especially and 85.1% indicated what was had offered solutions such as consultation by phone or rescheduling the consultation. 67% had no problems related to hormonal treatment. The psychological impact during confinement and the measures
produced a manifestation of emotional instability in 74.5%. Social relationships were affected for 62.8%, with fear of contagion for 63.8% that affected sexual, social and relationship activity. The emotional state  worsened in 53.2% of people, and 64.9% were unable to receive the psychological assistance they needed. 

Conclusions: despite the pandemic situation and the difficulties, 96.6% of people maintained the decision to initiate the transition and the gender-affirming hormonal treatment.