Transsexualism 101

information the basics Transsexualism 101

Transsexualism is just one of the many different biological variations that can occur in human sexual formation. Most people find their physically sexed body (phenotype) equals their innate-sex (sense of self as a man or a woman). For men and women with transsexualism, their innate-sex is the opposite of their obvious phenotype. However, these people experience the same gender since birth throughout their lives.

Men and women with the condition often describe their experience like being cast in a role they are not suited for. Some learn their lines and do their best to act the part. Others experience a profound sense of distress and struggle to live as their true self despite their physical bodies.

Most people affected by transsexualism are conscious of a difference in themselves from their earliest awareness - well before they are able to fully understand the concept of gender or sex.

1 Diagnosis

At this point in time, there is no laboratory test, blood test or x-ray which can be used to diagnose transsexualism. Diagnosis is initially based on self-assessment. Self-assessment is established when an individual approaches a medical provider for assistance. Diagnosis is a joint process over time between the individual and the healthcare provider. It is confirmed by clinical interviews with a number of different medical specialists after examination of the individual, their history, listening to their experiences and excluding any known physical problem that could be causing symptoms resembling transsexualism.

The main diagnostic evidence physicians use to diagnose men and women with the condition is the strong and persistent discomfort with the sex assigned them at birth.

2 Treatment

As a physical condition, transsexualism can not be 'cured' but it can be treated successfully.

Treatment consists of hormonal and surgical procedures. These reduce the discomfort between the individual's innate-sex ('brain-sex') on the one hand, and the phenotype (observable physical characteristics) on the other.

Treatment of the physical body and correction of their legal-sex (legal identity documents) is the most practical and successful solution to this dilemma. This process is commonly referred to as 'transition'.

3 Outcomes

There have been over thirty years of follow up studies published which evaluate the results of treatment for these men and women.

The enduring result in all studies is the relief of the core symptom - that is, the strong and persistent sense of discomfort with one's physical anatomical sex and appearance. Research indicates regret is rare, with satisfaction in men (identified female at birth) as high as 97% (Green & Fleming, 1990).

Even though studies are primarily positive about the effects of treatment, treatment should never be considered a 'cure' for the condition. The most useful perspective on treatment for both patient and doctor, is to consider treatment a physical rehabilitation for the individual.

4 Prevalence

The number of men and women with transsexualism is difficult to estimate. Accurate figures are difficult to obtain due to a mixture of the following issues:

The majority of these men and women wish to live a normal quiet life like any other man or woman and many take steps to ensure they are not seen as anything else than the male or female they truly are;
Sometimes figures are reported which mistakenly include people in the entertainment business for whom cross-dressing is part of their employment, transvestites and others who permanently live within a dual or trans-gender social environment;
Figures are underestimated throughout the world due in part to the results of secrecy and shame.

The most common means of estimating the prevalence of transsexualism is based on the number of subjects applying for sex affirmation treatment (sex reassignment). Figures obtained in this way can be misleading. The availability of treatment (or even the awareness there is treatment) could be absent for some people with the condition and obtaining surgery is often dependent on the social and financial resources of the individual.

Figures worldwide show an increase in prevalence over the years. Reasons for this increase include changes in social attitudes towards transsexualism across the world, improved medical care, greater accessibility to information and a higher profile of these hidden men and women as they tell their stories, via the internet.

In Australia, it is estimated there are between 5,000 - 10,000 people with transsexualism (Wallbank, 2004). Worldwide, one in every 50,000 people has been quoted (Conway, 2007).

Summary