Gender Confirmation Surgery Linked to Important Improvements in Quality of Life for Transgender Individuals, Korean Study Finds
A new study from the Korean Initiative for Transgender Health (KITE) demonstrates a strong correlation between gender confirmation surgery adn improved well-being among transgender individuals in Korea. The research, published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (JPRAS), reveals that the vast majority of patients experience positive changes in self-esteem, mental health, and overall quality of life following surgery.
Gender confirmation surgery, a term increasingly used in place of “sex reassignment surgery,” encompasses a range of surgical procedures designed to align an individual’s physical characteristics with their gender identity, alleviating distress caused by a mismatch between perceived and biological gender.Thes procedures include genital surgery, facial feminization/masculinization, and breast surgery.
The KITE research team tracked the health and medical experiences of 382 individuals who underwent at least one gender confirmation surgery between January and October 2024. This marks the first medical institution-based study in Korea specifically focused on Korean transgender and gender diverse people.
The study found the median age of participants at the time of their first surgery was 26. Nearly all (98.9%) were concurrently undergoing hormone therapy for gender confirmation, with an average duration of 5 years.
Remarkably, the results showed overwhelmingly positive outcomes. 94.2% of respondents reported improved gender expression, while 91% experienced an improved quality of life. Further, 90.2% noted improved self-esteem, 88.9% reported better mental health, and 88.4% felt a strengthened sense of gender conformity after undergoing surgery. These findings strongly suggest that gender confirmation surgery significantly enhances mental well-being and overall life satisfaction.
Specific surgical procedures varied based on the individual’s transition. Trans men primarily underwent mastectomy (99.5%) and hysterectomy (73.7%), while trans women most commonly had orchiectomy (80.7%) and vulvoplasty (63.6%). Patient satisfaction was highest with gonad removal surgeries, followed by breast/chest surgeries, genital reconstruction, and voice feminization procedures.
The study was co-lead by Professor Kim Gyeol-hee of the LGBTQ+ center at Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital and Professor Lee Seon-young of the Public Medical Center at Seoul National University Hospital. Kangdong Sacred Heart hospital is notable for operating Korea’s first multidisciplinary treatment center specializing in care for sexual minorities, utilizing a collaborative approach involving 16 medical professionals across 9 departments, including plastic surgery and obstetrics and gynecology. The hospital also integrates dedicated staff trained in treating sexual minorities into all medical departments.
“This study is the first to present objective data on the positive effects of gender confirmation medical care actually experienced by Koreans,” stated Professor Kim Gyeol-hee. “Given the high satisfaction rates and improvements in quality of life observed, there is an urgent need to improve access to medical care and provide supportive policy measures.”
