Being Transgender

What is the difference between trans-man, trans-woman, and cis-gender?

Transgender: When the way a person identifies his or her gender is different than his or her physical sex.

  1. A trans-man is a person with an assigned female physical sex that identifies as a man.  Also sometimes referred to as Female to Male (FtM).
  2. A trans-woman is a person with an assigned male physical sex that identifies as a woman.  Also sometimes referred to as Male to Female (MtF).
  3. A cisgender person is someone who identifies with their assigned physical sex.

A person’s gender identity may not be visible to others but is due acceptance and respect. Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) is a private matter, unless you are wanting to be in a relationship.

Non-surgical Options for Transgender People

Options to help transgender people be seen by others as they identify internally.

Trans-woman may use:

  1. Breast forms
  2. Tucking
  3. Electrolysis
  4. Vocal coaching

Trans-men may use:

  1. Binding
  2. Packing
  3. STP (Stand to pee device)
  4. Vocal coaching

Medical Interventions

The main medical intervention for trans people is hormone therapy.

Early hormone therapy is important in order to help transgender persons blend in with their peers. Hormones for trans-women include estrogen, progesterone and androgen blockers.  Early intervention makes it possible to avoid developing unwanted masculine features.  It is easier to feminize the body.

Hormone therapy for trans-men is simply a shot of testosterone every week or ten days.  The effects of testosterone:

  1. Oily skin and acne (first two years)
  2. Facial and body hair growth
  3. Scalp hair loss
  4. Increased muscle mass and strength
  5. Body fat redistribution
  6. Cessation of menses
  7. Clitoral enlargement
  8. Vaginal atrophy
  9. Deepened voice

Continuation of Hormone Therapy for Trans-women and Surgical Options

Feminizing hormones for trans women include estrogen, progesterone and androgen blockers. The effects these will have are:

  1. Body fat redistribution
  2. Breast growth
  3. Decrease in muscle mass and strength
  4. Softening of skin, less oiliness
  5. Decreased libido
  6. Male sexual dysfunction
  7. Decreased testicular volume and sperm production
  8. Thinning and slow growth of body and facial hair
  9. Will stop male pattern baldness but will not restore what has been lost

Surgical Options for Trans-women

Surgical procedures are an option to help trans people be accepted by their peers. Surgical options include:

  1. Breast augmentation
  2. Silicone injections
  3. Vaginoplasty
  4. Facial feminization

Surgical Options for Trans-men

  1. Chest reconstruction (Top Surgery)
  2. Hysterectomy
  3. Genital surgery (Bottom surgery)

When we speak of surgeries many people are now focusing on changing their bodies in ways that help them to be seen as the gender that they identify with.

Select a link to explore further.
TRANSGENDER INTRODUCTION
BEING TRANSGENDER
TRANSGENDER ALLY