Market Trends of Global Sex Reassignment Surgery Industry
Male to Female Segment Of the Market is Expected to Project Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
Factors such as the growing burden of gender dysphoria, increasing awareness about gender reaffirmation surgeries, initiatives taken by the government, and the rising number of surgeries are driving the growth of the market over the forecast period.
The high prevalence of gender dysphoria among males leads to the adoption of male-to-female surgery and thus drives the growth of the market segment. For instance, the Scientific Reports article titled "Validity of the Gender Dysphoria diagnosis and incidence trends in Sweden: a nationwide register study published in August 2021" reported that the overall prevalence in the studied population in Europe, the United States, and Australia for gender dysphoria was 0.46/10,000 population, of which 0.68 for birth-assigned males and 0.26 for birth-assigned females. Such a high prevalence of gender dysphoria in males drives the male to female segment of the sex reassignment surgery market over the forecast period.
Additionally, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons report titled "Plastic Surgery Statistics Report" 2020 reported that in the United States, in 2020, trans males had 9,985 gender confirmation surgeries performed compared to 8,986 in 2019. This increasing adoption of surgery is demonstrating the growth of the market segment.
The support from government agencies is also propelling the growth of the market. For instance, as per the March 2022 update, the Ministry of Health, New Zealand reported that a Gender Affirming (Genital) Surgery Service had been established to help more transgender people access publicly-funded gender-affirming genital surgery in New Zealand. The service has been funded with USD 2.99 million approved in Budget 2019 over four years to supplement the allocation of funding from the High-Cost Treatment Pool for gender-affirming genital surgeries. This funding is expected to enable the delivery of up to 14 surgeries per year. Such support from different government agencies is boosting the growth of the market.
Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, the market segment is expected to show considerable growth over the forecast period.
North America Holds Significant Share in Market and Expected To Do Same Over the Forecast Period
The North American region is expected to hold a significant share in the sex reassignment surgery market owing to the rising burden of gender dysphoria, increasing awareness and adoption of gender reassignment surgery, coupled with the support of government and public organizations.
The growing number of surgeries performed in the region demonstrates the growth of the market in the region. For instance, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention article titled "Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons", updated in July 2021, reported that about 9,000 transgender surgeries are being performed annually across the United States. It also reported that the latest statistics indicate that 0.6% of the United States population identifies as transgender, and nearly 10.9% of medical encounters with transsexualism result in gender-affirming surgeries. Such a high number of surgeries performed in the country depicts significant growth in the market.
Additionally, support from the government, such as care and financial aid for surgical procedures, is also propelling the growth of the market. For instance, in June 2021, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) secretary Denis McDonough reported the change at a Pride event in Florida that the United States government will offer gender confirmation surgery (Gender Affirmation surgery) for transgender veterans through its health care coverage for the first time. Earlier, only hormone therapy and mental health services were covered under this. Such steps taken by the government are propelling the growth of the market.
Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, the North American region is expected to show growth over the forecast period.
