Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
The aim of this study is to explore the challenges that trans people described experiencing during the process of medical gender affirmation and to understand their expressed needs. A qualitative research design was used to assess 14 participants, consisting of seven trans women and seven trans men, who were identified through a purposive and criterion sampling method. The experiences shared by trans participants were identified in accordance with the phenomenological design. Semi-structured interviews were used as data collection tools, and the obtained data were analyzed using content analysis. Codes, categories and themes were formulated based on the data and keywords. Through content analysis, the researchers identified seven main themes reflecting the challenges that trans participants described during the process of medical gender affirmation. These included side effects of hormone replacement therapy, societal reactions and discrimination, economic challenges, challenges in interacting with the healthcare system, emotional impact of societal marginalisation, educational and career obstacles, and legal and bureaucratic struggles. The challenges described by trans participants highlight the need to develop new societal perspectives that address their needs and to promote changes in the healthcare system, policy making, and social attitudes.