Gender-affirming care key to transgender men’s health and happiness
Body image and quality of life among transgender men could be improved with more gender-focused care, according to research by Nottingham Trent University in the UK and Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
By Helen Breese | Published on 2 April 2025
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Social Sciences;
The study questioned 166 trans men on aspects of gender congruence - the feeling of harmony between a person's gender identity (how they see themselves) and their physical appearance or how others perceive them; and body satisfaction.
In a unique approach, it also measured quality of life across four areas; physiological; psychological; social; and environmental.
Findings showed that when trans men feel that their gender identity matches their appearance, they are happier with their bodies and overall wellbeing.
In relation to quality of life, feeling good about their gender was seen to help trans men with their physical health, mental health, and feeling safe in their environment.
However, gender congruence was not seen to impact on their social lives, possibly reflecting the unique shared-experience bonds formed among this community.
Dr Liam Cahill, lead researcher and senior lecturer in LGBTQ+ Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “While research already shows a link between gender congruence and body satisfaction, their intersection with quality of life for trans men has so far been neglected. Understanding this complex relationship is critical to developing the right support for trans men.”
The study also examined how gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy and chest surgery, affects quality of life, gender congruence, and body satisfaction. Both types of care significantly improved gender congruence and indirectly boosted body satisfaction. Chest surgery was linked to better physical, mental, and environmental quality of life, while hormone therapy improved mental and environmental quality of life.
Dr Cahill added: “Gender-affirming care might not change how people see their bodies directly. Instead, it helps their physical appearance match their gender identity, which is crucial for feeling satisfied with their bodies. These findings highlight the need for accessible gender-focused care that supports both gender congruence and body satisfaction, helping to improve the overall well-being of trans men.”
Understanding the Role of Gender Congruence and Affirming Care in Trans Men’s Body Image and Quality of Life by Dr Liam Cahill, Chase Staras, Dr Treshi-Marie Perera, Dr Beth Jones, and Professor Daragh McDermott is available to read via the International Journal of Transgender Health.
Notes for Editors
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About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been named UK ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years, (Times Higher Education Awards 2017, The Guardian University Awards 2019, The Times and Sunday Times 2018 and 2023, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023) and is consistently one of the top performing modern universities in the UK.
It is the 3rd best modern university in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). Students have voted NTU 1st in the UK for student employability (Uni Compare 2025)
NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with over 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across six campuses. It has an international student population of almost 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
NTU owns two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for outstanding achievements in research (2015, 2021). The first recognises NTU’s research on the safety and security of global citizens. The second was awarded for research in science, engineering, arts and humanities to investigate and restore cultural objects, buildings and heritage. The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded GOLD in the national 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, as it was in 2019.
NTU is a top 10 for sport (British Universities and Colleges Sport league table 2023).
NTU is the most environmentally sustainable university in the UK and second in the world (UI Green Metric University World Rankings, 2023).