Medical transition for a transgender person involves the use of hormone therapy to establish an endocrine environment appropriate to the target gender. Trans women will take a drug, usually spirolactone, to reduce the efficacy of the testosterone their testes are still producing.
Full Answer
What is medical transition like for trans men?
For trans men and some non-binary people medical transition may include any of the following: hormone therapy (to create masculine characteristics such as a deeper voice, facial hair growth, muscle growth, redistribution of body fat away from hips and breasts, not getting a period, etc.)
What are some examples of medical transition?
For trans women and some non-binary people medical transition may include any of the following: hormone therapy (to create feminine characteristics such as less body hair, breasts, redistribution of body fat toward hips and breasts, etc.) laser hair removal (to remove hair from your face or other parts of your body)
How do transgender children transition?
For earlier generations of transgender people, the only way to transition physically was through surgery or taking hormones as adults. However, new medical options are allowing transgender children to start the process of transitioning at younger ages.
Why do transgender men need hormone therapy?
Many transgender men and women seek hormone therapy as part of the transition process. Exogenous testosterone is used in transgender men to induce virilization and suppress feminizing characteristics.
How are trans patients treated?
Treat transgender individuals with respect, as you would for all of your patients. Refer to transgender people by the name and pronoun associated with their gender identity. Ask politely how they wish to be addressed if you are unsure about a person's gender identity.
What is the process of transitioning from male to female?
hysterectomy (removal of internal female reproductive organs such as the ovaries and uterus) phalloplasty (construction of a penis using skin from other parts of your body) metoidioplasty (surgery that causes your clitoris to work more like a penis, along with hormone treatment to make your clitoris grow larger)
Can gender dysphoria cure without surgery?
What might help one person might not help another. Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therapy. If you have gender dysphoria, seek help from a doctor who has expertise in the care of gender-diverse people.
What doctor do you go to for transitioning?
Endocrinologists are experts in conditions relating to hormones. In gender transition, this doctor prescribes hormone therapy to influence sex characteristics. Dermatologists provide care for conditions of the skin, hair and nails.
Can men get pregnant?
People who are born male and living as men cannot get pregnant. A transgender man or nonbinary person may be able to, however. It is only possible for a person to be pregnant if they have a uterus. The uterus is the womb, which is where the fetus develops.
What is bottom surgery for female to male?
FTM Bottom Surgery Phalloplasty creates a penis and urethra (to stand while urinating). We use tissue from your forearm or thigh. We do this in 2 stages. Metoidioplasty takes your existing genital tissue and makes it longer, turning it into a defined phallus.
How long does it take to transition from female to male?
Some of the physical changes begin in as little as a month, though it may take as long as 5 years to see the maximum effect.
How many sexes are there?
two sexesBased on the sole criterion of production of reproductive cells, there are two and only two sexes: the female sex, capable of producing large gametes (ovules), and the male sex, which produces small gametes (spermatozoa).
How many genders are there?
There are many different gender identities, including male, female, transgender, gender neutral, non-binary, agender, pangender, genderqueer, two-spirit, third gender, and all, none or a combination of these.
Do you need to see a therapist before transitioning?
According to the commentary, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) advises mental health screenings and recommends psychotherapy before any body modifications are made.
How does MTF deal with gender dysphoria?
1. Express your feelings - share your feelings in a notebook or blog, or express how you feel through an art, craft or music project. 2. Talk to someone who understands - talk to a supportive friend, find an online trans community you feel connection with, or speak to QLife (qlife.org.au to webchat or 1800 184 527).
At what age can gender dysphoria be diagnosed?
The study results showed that the mean age of the transgender women's earliest general memory and first experience of gender dysphoria were 4.5 and 6.7 years, respectively. For transgender men they were 4.7 and 6.2 years, respectively.
What are the procedures that are required for transgender people?
Not everyone who is transgender prioritizes or desires procedures, such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries, required for a full medical transition.
What are some myths about transgender people?
Myth #1: Transgender people are confused or tricking others. Myth #2: Sexual orientation is linked to gender identity. Myth #3: Letting trans people use the bathroom or locker room matching their gender identity is dangerous. Myth #4: Transitioning is as simple as one surgery.
Can trans people get medical care?
Some but not all trans people require but can’t access medical care. They may, for instance, suffer from severe gender dysphoria, a state of emotional distress caused by how someone’s body or the gender they were assigned at birth conflicts with their gender identity.
Is access to health care a major issue for LGBTQ people?
Still, access to health care remains a major issue for LGBTQ groups. For organizations like the National Center for Transgender Equality, getting all trans people into life-saving health care — whether it’s by overcoming financial hurdles or discrimination — remains a major goal.
What is medical transition?
It can involve changing the way one dresses. Medical transitioning can involve medical treatments, such as taking hormones or getting surgery. Experts agree that there is not one “right” way to transition.
What is the most important thing about transition?
What is most important is that someone’s transition process reflects their needs and what works best for them and their body. [1] . While there are many social ways to transition, such as coming out to friends, using different pronouns, or using a different name, this article will specifically examine the medical treatment options in ...
What is the procedure for removing the uterus?
Removal of the Uterus (hysterectomy) and Fallopian Tubes/Ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy) A hysterectomy is when a surgeon removes the uterus. A hysterectomy for transgender male patients is usually accompanied by a salpingectomy (removal of fallopian tubes) and a oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries). [1] .
What is gender dysphoria?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, a gender dysphoria diagnosis is when a person’s physical or assigned gender (such as someone born female or born male) does not match the gender they feel ( for example, feeling they are male or female). [23] . Most doctors will not offer most medical transitioning options unless ...
How long does it take to transition from mental health to physical health?
[1] Most physical changes occur gradually over the course of two years. The amount of physical change and the exact timeline of those changes vary.
What is the definition of transgender?
Samantha Newman, National Center for Health Research. The focus of this article is medical transitioning from female to male, the process by which transgender individuals change the way they look so that their physical characteristics match the gender they feel. [2] . Transgender is defined as individuals whose social or psychological gender ...
Do you need to meet with a mental health professional before a medical procedure?
Most doctors will not offer most medical transitioning options unless the individual has this diagnosis. Some medical procedures do not require meeting with a mental health professional beforehand, but having a supportive mental health professional can be helpful in this process.
Why do some people resist the term "transgender"?
Some resist the term altogether because they don’t buy into the idea that gender is binary and that there are only two options: man or woman. And not all people who identify as transgender have gender dysphoria at the level of distress that requires diagnostic treatment. india hayes/cnn. video.
Why is the new diagnosis necessary?
The new diagnosis was intended to clear hurdles to gender-affirming treatment, including surgical procedures. But some contend that it inappropriately pathologizes transgender identity by requiring a mental health diagnosis to access care. Others argue that the diagnosis is essential to ensure access to care.
What is gender dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria is defined by the distress caused by the discrepancy between a person’s body and their gender identity. The American Psychiatric Association added the term to its diagnostic manual in 2013 to distinguish between the condition of being transgender and symptoms that arise from distress over being transgender.
When was gender dysphoria replaced?
The DSM-5, published in 2013, replaced gender identity disorder with gender dysphoria to make clear that the diagnosis pertains to distress and not identity, per se. The World Health Organization has signaled its intention to move transgender identity from its chapter on mental illness to a new one on sexual health.
Why is a diagnosis important?
Others argue that the diagnosis is essential to ensure access to care. For many seeking treatment in the American health care system – especially those without the means to pay out of pocket – it can be the only option available.
Which state was the first to prohibit health care plans from discriminating based on gender identity or expression?
2005 -- California becomes the first state to prohibit health care plans from discriminating based on gender identity or expression. Photos: Timeline of transgender health care rights. March 2010 -- The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, becomes law.
Is being transgender an identity?
For some, being transgender is an identity. For others, it’s a label. At its core, it’s the state of knowing that your gender is different from the one you were assigned at birth.
What are the medical transitions for trans women?
For trans women and some non-binary people medical transition may include any of the following: hormone therapy (to create feminine characteristics such as less body hair, breasts, redistribution of body fat toward hips and breasts, etc.) breast augmentation (implants)
What is transitioning in a relationship?
Transitioning is the process of changing the way you look and how people see and treat you so that you become the gender you feel on the inside. Transitioning can means lots of different things. It can involve medical treatment and hormones. It can involve changing your name and preferred pronouns. It can involve changing your appearance and dress.
What is hormone therapy?
hormone therapy (to create masculine characteristics such as a deeper voice, facial hair growth, muscle growth, redistribution of body fat away from hips and breasts, not getting a period, etc.)
What is social transition?
Social transitioning may include: coming out to your friends and family as transgender. asking people to use pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them) that match your gender identity. going by a different name. dressing/grooming in ways that match your gender identity.
Can transgender people transition?
Transgender people have a range of experiences with transitioning. Some may transition socially, legally, and medically, some may transition only socially, and some may not do any of these.
Can transgender people afford medical care?
These medical procedures can be very expensive, which means that not everyone can afford them. Some transgender people may have health insurance that covers transition-related procedures, and some may not.
Can you transition socially and medically?
Some may transition socially and not medically. Some may transition medically by doing one or only a few of the procedures listed above. Some may take hormones and decide not to have any surgeries, or just choose one kind of surgery and none of the others. There are many reasons for the differences in how people transition.
What kind of health care do transgender people need?
What kinds of health care and services do I need if I am transgender? Transgender people have the same health care needs as cisgender people, such as basic physical exams, preventive care, and STD testing. But you may also have special health care concerns and needs. If you wish to transition medically by using hormones or having surgery, ...
Can transgender people access health care?
Accessing health care can be challenging for transgender people. Not all nurses and doctors are sensitive to trans issues or informed about the health care needs of transgender people. You may worry about revealing your gender identity regardless of whether you wish to transition medically.
Is Planned Parenthood open to transgender people?
Planned Parenthood health centers are open to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Whether you're transgender or cisgender, you can visit your local Planned Parenthood health center for STD testing, birth control, physical exams, other sexual and reproductive health services, and referrals.
Can transgender people inject silicone?
Transgender people who want to feminize their bo dies and can’t access surgeries may get people who aren’t nurses or doctors to inject “street” silicone into their bodies. Street silicone might give your body feminine curves, but it's extremely dangerous and can lead to infections or even death.
How do transgender people transition?
For earlier generations of transgender people, the only way to transition physically was through surgery or taking hormones as adults. However, new medical options are allowing transgender children to start the process of transitioning at younger ages. But doctors tread carefully, navigating medical interventions that carry risks ...
Can transgender people take hormones?
While transgender adults have taken hormones sometimes for years, the generation growing up now is among the first to start taking hormones so young .
What is the treatment for transgender men?
Many transgender men seek therapy for virilization and the mainstay treatment is exogenous testosterone. Transgender women desire suppression of androgenic effects and often use anti-androgen therapy with feminizing exogenous estrogens.
Why do transgender men need hormones?
Exogenous testosterone is used in transgender men to induce virilization and suppress feminizing characteristics . In transgender women, exogenous estrogen is used to help feminize patients, and anti-androgens are used as adjuncts to help suppress masculinizing ...
What is testosterone therapy?
Testosterone. Testosterone therapy is used to suppress female secondary sex characteristics and masculinize transgender men. The therapy used resembles hormone replacement regimens used to treat natal men with hypogonadism and most of the preparations are testosterone esters.
How long do you have to live before starting hormone therapy?
This test required patients to live full-time as their self-affirmed gender for a predetermined period of time (usually 12 months) before starting cross-sex hormones.
What is a transgender man?
Transgender men are individuals who were assigned female at birth but identify as men, and transgender women are individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify as women. While research in this area is sparse, the current evidence points toward a biologic etiology for transgenderism.
Does exogenous therapy reduce androgen production?
Through a negative feedback loop, exogenous therapy suppresses gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary gland, leading to a reduction in androgen production (12). Estrogen alone is often not enough to achieve desirable androgen suppression, and adjunctive anti-androgenic therapy is also usually necessary.
Is hormone therapy for transgender men based on clinical experience?
These guidelines are mostly based on clinical experience from experts in the field. Guidelines for hormone therapy in transgender men are mostly extrapolations from recommendations that currently exist for the treatment of hypogona dal natal men and estrogen therapy for transgender women is loosely based on treatments used for postmenopausal women .