There is no firm basis available in evidence to indicate that trans women have
a consistent and measurable overall performance benefit after 12 months of
testosterone suppression. While an advantage in terms of Lean Body Mass
(LBM), Cross Section Area (CSA) and strength may persist statistically after
12 months, there is no evidence that this translates to any performance
advantage as compared to elite cis-women athletes of similar size and height.
This is contrasted with other changes, such as hemoglobin (HG), which
normalize within the cis women range within four months of starting
testosterone suppression. For pre-suppression trans women it is currently
unknown when during the first 12 months of suppression that any advantage
may persist. The duration of any such advantage is likely highly dependent on
the individual’s pre-suppression LBM which, in turn varies, greatly and is highly
impacted by societal factors and individual circumstance.
The exact conclusion:
There is no firm basis available in evidence to indicate that trans women have a consistent and measurable overall performance benefit after 12 months of testosterone suppression. While an advantage in terms of Lean Body Mass (LBM), Cross Section Area (CSA) and strength may persist statistically after 12 months, there is no evidence that this translates to any performance advantage as compared to elite cis-women athletes of similar size and height. This is contrasted with other changes, such as hemoglobin (HG), which normalize within the cis women range within four months of starting testosterone suppression. For pre-suppression trans women it is currently unknown when during the first 12 months of suppression that any advantage may persist. The duration of any such advantage is likely highly dependent on the individual’s pre-suppression LBM which, in turn varies, greatly and is highly impacted by societal factors and individual circumstance.