Transgender women have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism, stroke and meningioma compared to cisgender men and cisgender women. Compared to cisgender men, transgender women have a higher risk of breast cancer and transgender women > 50 years old have a higher risk of fractures.
Being transgender is not a mental illness. But people who are transgender face unique challenges, such as gender dysphoria and discrimination, which can affect their mental health.
Transgender people are at a slightly higher risk of developing some cancers that are tied to hormone use. Depending on the stage of transition, the breasts, uterus, ovaries, prostate, or liver can be affected. Appropriate screenings including prostate, breast, and pelvic exams should be a part of routine healthcare.
Further, a retrospective analysis of records from an adolescent community health center found that transgender patients were significantly more likely to have a depression diagnosis (51%), anxiety diagnosis (27%), and engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI; 17%), suicide ideation (31%), and attempted suicide (17%) ...
Transitioning is a process that can take anywhere between several months and several years. Some people, especially non-binary or genderqueer people, may spend their whole life transitioning and may redefine and re-interpret their gender as time passes.
For example a psychologist. Have people around you who support you. Take your time, transitioning can take a long time. On average it takes 2-3 years.
Although gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, when not addressed, it may lead to worsening mood issues, depression and anxiety, and may further complicate the issues the individuals may be having. Insurance may cover some illnesses associated with gender dysphoria and gender dysphoria care.
These can be visualised on the change curve. The stages are shock, anger, acceptance and commitment. People's initial reaction to the change will likely be shock or denial as they refuse to accept that change is happening.
Transitioning is a personal decision specific to the individual, so how a person goes about transitioning can change over time and vary from person to person. There are three main types of transitions someone could go through: social, legal, and physical.
We all process information in different ways, and transitioning from one activity or life event to another can cause a disruption in what is comforting and predictable to us. This disruption can then result in problematic behaviors, avoidance, or shutting down from responsibilities.
Before undergoing treatment, people should consider whether they wish to preserve their sperm in order to conceive a child in the future. Libido changes: Estrogen can reduce a person's libido, erectile function, and ejaculation.
Oestrogen causes feminising effects such as breast growth, more curvy body shape and softer skin. Oestrogen medication is generally safe when prescribed under medical supervision. It's important to have regular check ups and blood tests when taking hormones.
Most people notice breast development within the first three months of beginning estrogen. This is around the same time that other physical changes appear. Depending on the person, the first changes that estrogen causes might be mood changes, appetite changes, or minor changes in how your body fat is distributed.
But many cite the cost of the procedures – potentially more than $100,000 out of pocket – and the lack of insurance coverage as a barrier to their transition.
In general the first step is to explore your gender identity. This can include any combination of internal self-reflection, connecting with community and support groups, or working with a therapist who has expertise in gender identity issues. This process could take anywhere from months to years.
Internal transition changes the way you see yourself.
You might try dressing differently when you're by yourself, calling yourself by a different name only in your head, or practice using your voice differently. You might start to notice times that you feel gender dysphoria or gender euphoria.
Cross-Sex Hormones
The Endocrine Society recommends that kids start taking these hormones around age 16, but doctors will start them as early as 13 or 14. Most people who start these hormones stay on them for life, and doctors don't know much about how they affect people over the long term.
—Most genital surgeries starting at age 17, including womb and testicle removal, a year earlier than previous guidance. The Endocrine Society, another group that offers guidance on transgender treatment, generally recommends starting a year or two later, although it recently moved to start updating its own guidelines.
The questionnaire found that a majority of transgender adults are happier after transitioning, with 78% of respondents noting that living as a gender outside the one assigned at birth has increased their satisfaction in life, reported the Washington Post.
Gender-affirming surgeries are associated with numerous positive health benefits, including lower rates of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, as well as lower rates of smoking, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.