US Gender Reassignment Surgery Market

US Gender Reassignment Surgery Market Analysis

The US Gender Reassignment Surgery Market is expected to register a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.

• COVID-19 disproportionately impacted the transgender community in the United States due to disrupted access to gender-affirming care that stems from healthcare disruptions, restrictions on certain surgeries, and increased economic disparities. As per the report published by Stanford University in April 2023, the policy implemented during the pandemic to reduce the spread of the coronavirus was the deferral of some surgical operations, including many of the transition-related operations.
• The deferral of surgeries resulted in delays that have exacerbated the excessive wait times that were already, on average, years for some sex reassignment surgeries. However, due to the resumed sex reassignment surgical procedures after the pandemic, the market showed significant growth when compared to the pandemic period.
• The primary factors that drive the market growth are the growing burden of gender dysphoria in the United States and rising government initiatives along with reimbursement policies. These driving factors likely increase the demand for sex reassignment surgeries in the country, which is expected to have significant growth in the market.
• Gender dysphoria is an unease or dissatisfaction which is commonly seen in the transgender population. Hence, the high number of the transgender population is likely to have a growing burden of gender dysphoria in the country. For instance, as per the data reported by The Williams Institute in June 2022, an estimated 1.6 million people aged 13 years and older in the United States identified as transgender. This high number of transgenders which include both males and females, increases the burden of gender dysphoria and raises the demand for gender reassignment surgeries which is expected to boost the market growth in the country.
• Furthermore, government initiatives for gender reassignment care are likely to have a significant impact on the market. For instance, in June 2023, the governor of Maryland signed an executive order to protect gender-affirming health care in Maryland, building on the administration's dedication to safeguarding the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, intersex, asexual agender (LGBTQIA+) individuals. These new laws help the public to have well-established gender reassignment procedures, which likely propel the market growth in the country.
• However, the high procedural cost of gender reassignment is expected to hinder the market growth in the country over the forecast period.

US Gender Reassignment Surgery Market Trends

Facial Feminization Procedures Segment is Expected to Have Significant Growth in the Market Over the Forecast Period

• Facial feminization surgery includes a wide variety of treatments to feminize facial features to look more feminine. It includes hairline lowering, jaw reduction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, face or neck lift, and other facial changes. Transgender women choose facial feminization surgeries to affirm their gender.
• The major factors that drive the segment growth are the high percentage of transgender women, along with advanced surgical procedures in the United States. In addition, the government initiatives in the country increase gender reassignment care which likely boosts the market growth over the forecast period.
• According to the report published by the Williams Institute in June 2022, 1.3 million United States adults were identified as transgenders, out of which transgender women accounted for 38.5% (515,200), which is considered a major share. As facial feminization surgeries are chosen by transgender women, the high percentage of this population group increases the demand for facial feminization procedures, which likely boosts the market growth over the study period.
• Furthermore, the new advancements in facial feminization procedures likely increase safety with predictable outcomes, which is expected to have a significant impact on the market growth. For instance, in February 2022, Facialteam continued to research new technologies to improve the precision of facial feminization procedures and resulting in JAWContour being one of the game-changer in mandibular gender-affirming surgery. It uses 3D technology and ultrasonic instruments, which gives greater safety for nerves and soft tissues, lower complication rates, and faster recovery. These new advancements increase the demand for facial feminization procedures, which is expected to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Increasing Transgender Surgery and Funding for Gender Affirmation in the United States

• The transgender surgery fund is a scholarship-like program that provides direct financial assistance to trans men and women who cannot afford their gender-affirming surgery. Hence, the new funding increases the demand for these surgeries, which is expected to have a significant impact on the market over the forecast period.
• For instance, in March 2023, Point of Pride announced a total award of USD 213,800 as financial assistance for gender-affirming surgeries. With this funding, each of the applicants receives resources to afford their respective surgical expenses.
• Similarly, in October 2022, the Jim Collins Foundation (JCF), a national nonprofit organization with a mission to fund gender-affirming surgeries, announced that for the 2022 grant year, 6 surgical grants were awarded to a diverse group of grant recipients from across the United States. These grants can cover 100% of the surgical fees associated with gender-affirming surgery, which likely increases the demand for gender-affirming surgeries, thereby propelling the market growth in the country.
• In addition, the increasing research funding for sexual and gender minorities (SGM), more broadly referenced as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenders helps to develop new gender reassignment procedures.
• For instance, a report published in January 2022 by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research & Health revealed that the UCLA team secured nearly USD 8.6 million in federal research funding from five different United States National Institutes of Health entities during FY2021. These research funds are expected to expand the scope of gender reassignment surgeries, potentially fostering market growth in the country.

US Gender Reassignment Surgery Industry Overview

The United States gender reassignment surgery market is a moderately competitive market consisting of a few major players. With the rising government initiatives, market players focusing on the patient-centric approach are major factors propelling the market. Some of the key players in the market include Rumer Cosmetic Surgery, Mount Sinai Centre for Transgender Medicine and Surgery (CTMS), Cedars-Sinai, Boston Medical Center, The International Center for Transgender Care, and others.

US Gender Reassignment Surgery Market Leaders

US Gender Reassignment Surgery Market News

• April 2023: Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 326 establishing New Jersey as a safe haven for gender-affirming health care by directing all state departments and agencies to protect all persons, including health care professionals and patients, against potential repercussions resulting from providing and receiving assisting in providing or receiving, seeking, or traveling to New Jersey to obtain gender-affirming health care services.
• September 2022: The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), headquartered in the United States, updated its Standards of Care and Ethical Guidelines for health professionals. Among the updates is a new suggestion to lift the age restriction for youth seeking gender-affirming surgical treatment, in comparison to the previous suggestion of surgery at 17 or older.