You
know the feeling. Since you were a child you've always known that you
were a man in a woman's body. In fact it one of your first memories.
Looking in the mirror finds you not pleased with the results. You are
depressed and irritated. So now you want to do something about it. What
can you do?
First
you will need to find a Psychologist who deals with "Gender Dysphoria".
Any
Psychologist or Psychiatrist can help you find one. The reason you need
one is that for
Hormone treatments and any surgery you might have require letters from
a Gender Specialist
who Follows the Harry
Benjamin Standards of Care, or HBIGDA.
After three months your Gender Counsellor could recommend you take male
hormones. He would then refer you to an endocrinologist. The following
are the some effects you would experience:
"Biologic females treated with testosterone can expect the following
permanent changes: a deepening of the voice, clitoral enlargement, mild
breast atrophy, increased facial and body hair and male pattern baldness.
Reversible changes include increased upper body strength, weight gain,
increased social and sexual interest and arousability, and decreased
hip fat".
A period of Cross-living or transition would be suggested. A name change
may also be required. During this time you would be required to live
and work as a man.
Surgery that a female to male Transsexual might undergo would be top
surgery or a mastectomy. "Genital surgical procedures may include
hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, vaginectomy, metoidioplasty, scrotoplasty,
urethroplasty, placement of testicular prostheses, and phalloplasty.
Current operative techniques for phalloplasty are varied. The choice
of techniques may be restricted by anatomical or surgical considerations.
If the objectives of phalloplasty are a neophallus of good appearance,
standing micturition, sexual sensation, and/or coital ability, the patient
should be clearly informed that there are several separate stages of
surgery and frequent technical difficulties which may require additional
operations. Even metoidioplasty, which in theory is a one-stage procedure
for construction of a microphallus, often requires more than one surgery.
The plethora of techniques for penis construction indicates that further
technical development is necessary". Other surgery might include
Liposuction to reduce fat in the hips and buttocks.
Not all FTM's have bottom surgery. Many are content to use a "packy"
or male prosthetic. While this may sound easy it certainly is not.
Gaining acceptance can be the hardest part and the surgeries can be
very painful.
While surgery seems to be the closest thing to a cure there are alternatives.
We will be discussing this in other upcoming articles. Remember that
this condition is not your fault and is not a lifestyle
choice. You were most likely born with this condition.
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