Impact of sex reassignment surgery on lower urinary tract function.

Abstract

To investigate the effects of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) on lower urinary tract function. A questionnaire concerning voiding habits and lower urinary tract symptoms after sex reassignment surgery, was given to 24 female-to-male transsexuals (FTM) and 31 male-to-female transsexuals (MTF), who respectively underwent phalloplasty and vaginoplasty. For this study only Dutch speaking patients were selected. Also, uro-flowmetry data from 92 FTM transsexuals were reviewed. In general, no change in voiding patterns was observed. Post-void dribbling was reported by 79% of the FTM transsexuals, and 16% of the MTF group reported some form of incontinence. The uro-flowmetry examination showed a mean, non-significant decrease of 2 ml/s in Q(max) in FTM patients. SRS can cause minor changes in urinary habits. Even if they do not result in patients seeking medical help, transsexuals should be warned about these eventual discomforts pre-operatively.