Handbook of Clinical Gender Medicine
Editor(s): Schenck-Gustafsson K. (Stockholm)DeCola P.R. (New York, N.Y.)
Pfaff D.W. (New York, N.Y.)
Pisetsky D.S. (Durham, N.C.)
| Table of Contents | |
| 2012 | |
|---|---|
| Section title: Metabolic Disease | |
(DOI:10.1159/000336426)
TranssexualismDhejne C. · Arver S.Center for Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden |
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: 8/13/2012
Cover Date: 2012
Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISBN: 978-3-8055-9929-0 (Print)
eISBN: 978-3-8055-9930-6 (Online)
Abstract
Transsexualism is a rare condition with significant suffering for those who harbor the conflict between a gender identity that is opposite to the somatic appearance. Over the years, treatment programs have developed and internationally accepted standards of care have been widely implemented. In brief, persons seeking gender change undergo a psychiatric evaluation, psychological assessments, and counseling leading to the diagnosis of transsexualism prior to endocrine cross-gender treatment and sex reversal surgery. A common practice includes a 1-year real-life test to evaluate the decision and experience living in the role of the desired sex. This year is supported by endocrine therapy and other reversible treatments, but not genital surgery. The true prevalence of transsexualism is not known and estimates based on the number of persons who undergo sex change in different countries vary between 1/3,000 and 1/30,000. Male-to-female transition has been more common with a ratio of 2:3, but this difference seems to be decreasing. Gender change involves social gender change, i.e. presenting oneself in the desired sex supported by cross-gender endocrine treatment and reconstructive surgery. Follow-up surveys have demonstrated improved quality of life and cure of gender dysphoria. Although transsexuals have increased mortality and morbidity, especially concerning psychiatric conditions, suicide, and smoking-related cancers after gender reassignment when compared to the general population, intervention with cross-gender endocrine treatment does not cause any major health hazard and can be prescribed safely.
© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
Article / Publication Details
Published online: 8/13/2012
Cover Date: 2012
Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISBN: 978-3-8055-9929-0 (Print)
eISBN: 978-3-8055-9930-6 (Online)
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