The widespread use of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) hormone therapy and surgery within the transgender community in fulfillment with their gender transitioning had become an emerging public health concern. This had been due to appearances of diseases like hypertension, deep vein thrombosis, gallstone formation and diabetes mellitus while and after taking DIY hormone therapy, as well as complications like siliconoma, hypersensitivity reactions and filler migration after doing DIY surgery. This study was designed to determine the presence of symptoms of diseases associated with Do-It-Yourself (DIY) hormone therapy and surgery among transgender women in Zamboanga City. Utilizing a cross sectional descriptive research design, a total of two hundred nine (209) respondents were identified, included and were asked to complete a structured researcher guided questionnaire. Results showed that majority of the respondents who took DIY hormone therapy for at least 3 years have experienced headache, dizziness, vomiting, weight gain and easy fatiguability. Also, for those who underwent DIY surgery experienced hypertrophic scarring, chronic chest pain, numbness in the area, nodules in the breast and capsular contracture. Furthermore, it was found out that respondents opted to do DIY methods due to influence from friends who have done it in the past and recommended it, DIYs are cheaper in price, the belief that there are no known healthcare professionals willing to help them and the fear of being litigated by a doctor. Hence, it was concluded that the symptoms experienced by the respondents may be attributed to the known diseases associated with DIY hormone therapy and surgery.

Keyword: Diseases associated with DIY feminizing hormone therapy and surgery Transgender and gender transitioning women