Transgender is an umbrella term indicated for people who possess gender expression, gender identity and behaviour that does not conform to the specific characteristics of the sex assigned to them at birth. In contrast, the term cisgender is used for people with a conformation between sex and gender identity. A transgender female is male sex at birth but carries a gender identity of female. Similarly, a transgender male is female sex at birth but carries a gender identity of male. Some people have both male and female components in terms of gender identity. These are known as non-binary or genderqueer.
Transgender is an umbrella term indicated for people who possess gender expression, gender identity and behaviour that does not conform to the specific characteristics of the sex assigned to them at birth. In contrast, the term cisgender is used for people with a conformation between sex and gender identity. A transgender female is male sex at birth but carries a gender identity of female. Similarly, a transgender male is female sex at birth but carries a gender identity of male. Some people have both male and female components in terms of gender identity. These are known as non-binary or genderqueer.
Gender dysphoria
A person may have a mismatch between their gender identity and biological sex. Such people have dissatisfaction or uneasiness to the extent that they suffer from anxiety and depression. This effect on the overall quality of life due to this mismatch is known as dysphoria.
Gender identity and sexual orientation
Gender identity is defined as the identity of the person reflected in their behaviour according to their gender. For instance, a person of the male gender behaves and feels like a male. Similar is true with females. People who behave and feel according to their gender have binary identities. However, some people feel that their gender identity does not match the assigned sex. For instance, people with facial hair and male genitals do not feel masculine. Such people are often termed as non-binary.
Gender identity is different from sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is indicated as the person’s personal preference for having a sexual relationship with women, men or both sexes. Heterosexuals are attracted to people of the opposite sex while homosexuals are attracted to people of the same sex. Transgender people may be gay or lesbian, straight or bisexual.
Transgender is an umbrella term that comprises the following categories:
What are the Stages of Transition for Transgender?
The transgender individual experiences the following stages of transition:
Stage 1: In the initial stage, the person consults with psychologists or mental health providers. These should be experts in gender issues. During the consultation, the doctor will diagnose gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder. Once the condition is confirmed, the doctor will provide risks associated with the gender reassignment procedure. Further, the doctor will also discuss in detail with the patient hormone therapy and surgery to allow the patient to make an informed decision. After the 2-3 visits, the psychologists may refer the patient to endocrinologists.
Stage 2: Hormones play an essential role in developing sexual characteristics. Men who desire to transition into women take female hormones. These hormones increase breast tissues, reduce muscle mass and strength, and slow the growth of body hair. Women who desire to transition into men require to take male hormones. These hormones increase muscle mass and strength, deepening the voice and enhancing the body and facial hair. It has been recommended that the person must undergo hormonal therapy before opting for surgery.
Stage 3: Approximately three-fourths of transgender undergo gender reassignment surgery. One of the important hurdles is cost, as the patient has to undergo multiple surgeries. Further, the insurance coverage may be different. Both the surgeon and the patients must be certain about surgery. There are risks and complications associated with the surgery, including urethral narrowing, abnormal connections, and tissue death.
There are several surgeries available for a transwoman. These are:
The surgeon may sometimes remove the hair from the penis and scrotum before using these tissues through laser or electrolysis. It requires a significant amount of time. In other cases, the follicles are destroyed during the surgery.
Following are the surgeries for transwomen:
Risks in transgender surgery
Like any other major surgery, transwoman surgeries also have certain risks and complications. These include:
Last Updated on: 20 July 2022
Dr Priyanka Sharma is a well-known Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon associated with HealthPort Clinic in Delhi. She has 14 years of experience in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery and worked as an expert Plastic,...View More
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