Gender Identity: What It Is And Why It Matters
An individuals gender identity is a way of expressing their distinct gender experience in a way that differs from their assigned sex at birth. The transition to a different gender identity can be agonizing for transgender people, who find themselves unable to recognize the gender they were assigned at birth. Transsexual people have different body parts, expressions, and behaviors than they were assigned at birth. Each persons gender identity is unique and distinct in his or her own way. You do not have to worry about what others think or what they say about you. There are numerous ways for people to experience gender. John Money, who founded the Gender Identity Clinic at Johns Hopkins University in the 1960s, was the first to use the term gender identity. The deepest feelings about your gender identity are those that are deeply held within you, whether you are a female or a male. The concept of gender-identity was added to the concept of gender.
Building Evidence For Gender
Turban and his colleagues hope legislators across the country will use the new findings to inform their policy decisions. Although several bills to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth have been introduced in state legislatures in recent years, nearly all have failed to become law, he said, adding that all major medical organizations support provision of gender-affirming medical care, including hormone therapy for patients who desire it and who meet criteria set out by the Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Theres no one correct way to be transgender, Turban said. Some transgender people do not want to take hormones and feel comfortable with their bodies the way they are. Young people seeking care at gender clinics are routinely offered counseling as part of their treatment to help them figure out what types of care best fit their circumstances.
For those who desire gender-affirming hormones, being denied access to the treatment can cause significant distress, Turban said.
For some transgender youth, their negative reactions to living in bodies that develop during puberty in ways that dont match who they know themselves to be can be very damaging, he said. For instance, individuals who feel uncomfortable developing breasts may react by binding their chests so tightly they develop skin infections or rib fractures.
What This Natural Estrogen Booster Made Of
it is now possible for your body to produce estrogen at higher continuous levels naturally, safely and comfortably
You can take the time after reading this blog post to do some research on a few of the ingredients I listed above but let me save you some time.
Pueraria mirifica , a plant whose dried and powdered tuberous roots are now widely used in rejuvenating preparations to promote youthfulness in both men and women, may have major estrogenic influence. In this study
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne On Forehead
Accessing Hormones In Nsw
To assist you in connecting with your doctor, weve prepared a number of templates you can print, complete and take with you. Below you will find a template to let an existing or new doctor know that you want to start or continue hormones, and to update your name, gender marker and pronoun, if required.
Weve also included an example of an informed consent form for initiating feminising hormones, as well as a GP Management Plan template. Your doctor may have a similar forms of their own, or you can print these out to work through together.
You are able to access hormones from your regular GP or Sexual Health Doctor. Hormonal affirmation and advice is not a specialist field, and does not require an expensive or difficult process, or access to a specialist to prescribe.
If you are over 18, you do not have to see a psychologist or psychiatrist in order to access hormones, unless you want to or your doctor feels it would be helpful.
For a list of doctors who support and understand trans people and our needs, check out ACONs Gender Affirming Doctor List, available here.
The Bottom Line On Your Hormones
Remember, hormones control every system in your body, so if something seems off, see your doctor. If you need treatment, it may help to meet with an endocrinologist, a physician familiar with the ins and outs of all the glands and organs that produce hormonesespecially one who has experience with your particular issues. And dont rely on an at-home hormone test, cautions Dr. Zilbermint: Incorrect numbers, high or low, can cause a panic. An endocrinologist can decipher the info.
Related Story
You May Like: What Is Thyroid Hormone Replacement
Can Feminizing Herbs Really Increase Estrogen
I think it would be more than fair to say that much of what you read regarding the effects that feminization herbs have on the male body is purely anecdotal. There is not nearly enough clinical research nor scientific facts to back up the many claims.
Still, since there are so damn many reports of significant results among the MtF TG communityincluding myselfits hard to not take seriously.
Personally, I dont believe that feminizing herbs should be looked upon as an across-the-board replacement to traditional FHT. Treat them rather as a milder, gentler and a maybe healthier approach to a doctor-prescribed regimen of feminizing hormone therapy.
Or perhaps use them as a herbal-bridge to traditional FHT.
Because feminization herbs are naturally occurringno prescription necessarydoesnt mean that they should be taken lightly. On the contrary, some of the herbs Ive mentioned here are remarkably potent, and deserve the required amount or respect.
If you do choose to experiment with any of these herbs that increase estrogen, my advice would be to monitor your dosage carefully. It can sometimes take a week or two for your body to adapt to them.
Transitioning Later In Life: My Long And Winding Road
So, in December 2017, I finally gave in and went to see my GP to ask for a referral to the NHS. At the same time, I began a transgender herbal remedy regimen from an American source that had a lot of good reviews. They seemed to know what they were talking about. I realised it would be at least a year before the NHS would see me due to long waiting lists.
In that initial consultation, my GP was superb, ordering a full spread of blood tests and referring me to the Leeds Gender Identity Clinic. She would also perform quarterly blood testing on my liver and kidney function to check that my herbal regimen was not causing irreversible harm. I had already decided that I could give it another year on herbs before the risks became too high and that if the GIC failed to deliver, I would seek alternative private help. I put it off because I was sure that going private would be too expensive.
Finally in March 2018, I spent an hour chatting with a nurse on the phone during my initial GIC screening. She said she would be happy to put me on the waiting list but told me that I wouldnt hear anything for approximately 12 months.
Also Check: How To Get Your Testosterone Tested
Don’t Miss: Can You Take Melatonin And Unisom
Things To Do To Feel Like A Girl Without Taking Hormones
If you are a crossdresser or MTF transgender who really want to achieve a very passable figure and feminine personality, you might be tempted to undergo Hormone replacement therapy . But HRT can be expensive and not an easy options for most due to financial issues, un-supportive families etc.And of course, everyones idea of femininity can be different too. There are many crossdressers & trans women who feel & look feminine naturally. And there are also many crossdressers & MTF Trans women who have a more masculine build but with a few tips & feminization tricks, passing & looking more feminine wouldnt be very difficult.
What Medical Procedures Are Covered
HRT: After you have your Indikationsschreiben , you no longer need to go to therapy for any further procedures. Youll be able to get a prescription for hormone replacement therapy through an endocrinologist .
Bottom surgery: This is also covered by public health insurance, but along with an indication letter, youll also need to live as your actual gender for at least one year . A cost overview from the clinic that will perform the surgery to be sent to your public health insurance provider. And sometimes, youll still be required to get two psychological evaluations, but it depends on the clinic.
Hair removal: This will also be covered, but you need the indication letter and a cost overview to send to your public health insurance.
Top surgery: This is covered by public health insurance, but youll need an indication letter, a cost overview, to live as your actual gender for at least one year, two years of HRT, and proof that after two years of HRT your cup size didnt grow past an A.
For those wishing to have a mastectomy, the only regulation is an indication letter and an overview of costs.
FFS, tracheal shave, vocal feminization surgery, shoulder blade shortening, and other surgeries: This is almost never covered by your health insurance, but you can try by putting together as much proof for the surgery as possible along with the overview of costs and a recommendation for the surgery by a licensed doctor or therapist.
Recommended Reading: Bioidentical Hormones Pros And Cons
How I’m Transitioning Without Transitioning
WhenIfirst realized I might be transgender, I was in denial. I didn’t want surgery, so it was like, “Well, what the hell do I want, then?” I thought being trans meant you could be either FTM or MTF . I thought surgery was necessary, and going on hormones was necessary, and oh my god I’d have to change my name, and I’d have to stop being at all feminine and and and and — !!
But, well, I didn’t have to do any of that.
The word “bigender” entered my vocabulary after transgender did.
Then “genderqueer.”
Ah, I thought. There it is.
There it is.
When I was a kid, maybe 12 or 13, I finally got to start experimenting with my hair. My mom took me to a new salon, and I was allowed to get highlights for the first time ever. The next time I went back, I asked for my hair to be cut short. My mom, who was watching, said fast, “Just to your chin.”
“But Mom…”
“You don’t have the right face for short hair,” she said. “Just to your chin.”
I cut my hair “just to my chin” until I was 18. I hated it.
I always hated it.
So I wore a bandana, or a hat, or I tied it up punishingly tight, knotted at the nape of my neck or pulled into a butterfly clasp. My freshman year of college, it got so bad I wore a gray hat every single day, everywhere I went, for almost a year.
And I looked just fine.
That was the start of it all. That was my marked moment, when I figured out that what people say I should look like and how I actually want to look are mutually exclusive.
Dyed it purple, too.
This one?
Changing Your Name And Pronouns
One of the first things trans people typically do after coming out is change their name and/or pronouns. Often times, folks will try a few names and pronouns to find the ones that are the perfect fit. If youre thinking of going by a different name or pronouns, tell some trusted friends to start using new language, then see how it makes you feel. If a trans friend has just come out to you, encourage them to try out different names and pronouns around you to see which one suits them best .
Also Check: Do I Need To Fast For Hormone Blood Test
Surgery For Trans Men
Common chest procedures for trans men include:
- removal of both breasts and associated chest reconstruction
- nipple repositioning
Gender surgery for trans men includes:
- construction of a scrotum and testicular implants
- a penile implant
Removal of the womb and the ovaries and fallopian tubes may also be considered.
What Health Services Can Planned Parenthood Give Me If Im Transgender
Planned Parenthood health centers are open to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Whether youre transgender or cisgender, you can visit your local Planned Parenthood health center for STD testing, birth control, physical exams, other sexual and reproductive health services, and referrals. Find your nearest Planned Parenthood health center and learn about the services it offers.
At this time, only some Planned Parenthood health centers are able to offer hormone treatments for trans people. The best way to learn about the services available in your area is to call your nearest Planned Parenthood health center. Below is a list of Planned Parenthood health centers that currently offer trans services.
Recommended Reading: How To Increase Sexual Hormones In Female
My Transition To Hormone Therapy:
Within five weeks from the initial contact, I unwrapped my first delivery of patches and anti-androgens. After about ten days, I quickly realised that the anti-androgen tablets were not working for me psychologically so I emailed GenderGP. Within 24 hours, I talked with a prescribing nurse who advised me to stop the pills. Within a week, I was driving to Birmingham to learn how to self-inject the triptorelin blocker the best, though most expensive, anti-androgen available.
My life completely changed after that slight bump in the road. The oestrogen worked quickly to alter my body in ways that felt right. Together with the blocker, it completely changed my psychological profile, and any anxiety just melted away.
Since that point two years ago, my transition has continued well. GenderGP is only an email away and has always responded within 24 hours. They insist on regular counselling sessions every six months , as well as routine blood tests. Ive also found a voice therapist through their website.
While I have not come out to the world in general, I can see that this is at least a possibility once I deal with my profoundly deep voice. I only wish I had known about GenderGP sooner.
Unfortunately, my GP surgery declined to work with GenderGP on prescribing, so Ive had to pay for my hormones myself. I was fortunate enough to be able to do so. However, GenderGP evaluates each case individually regarding possible financial help toward costs.
Choose An Online Option
Based in the United States
Some legal online options are based in the US. You must sign up and talk with them online to get prescriptions. Some make you subscribe. These are usually only for people residing in the US. They do not ship to all US states. They usually do not ship outside the US.
Listings are not endorsements. You must do your own research.
Don’t Miss: Best Face Wash For Hormonal Acne During Pregnancy
What Are The Emotional And Intellectual Effects Of Estrogen
People are very different so their emotional and intellectual changes vary widely. People taking estrogen have reported:
- Feeling more emotional and more in touch with their feelings
- Crying more easily
- Depression or sadness
- Thinking differently, having different ways of looking at things
- Feeling more like myself when taking a hormone that aligns with gender identity feeling more comfortable in ones body
Mood And Mental Health
Many people find that their mood on feminising hormones is calmer, and that their mental health becomes a lot easier to manage. For some people this is due to the euphoria experienced from starting hormones, for others its just a general sense of calm and better mental health.
This doesnt mean that trans and gender diverse people on hormonal therapy dont still experience mental health issues and require support for them, and theres nothing wrong with needing help. For more information, check out our mental health page.
You May Like: Is Melatonin Good For Depression
Lower Doses And Temporary Use
For some trans people, being on a lower dose of feminising hormones, or using them occasionally or temporarily is a part of how they seek to hormonally affirm their gender.
It can be difficult to try and implement one feminising change and not another, as once a hormonal threshold is reached, a range of secondary sex characteristics will begin to change.
This is especially the case for breast growth, which may occur even at lower estrogen levels .
Consultation with a specialist Endocrinologist may be helpful.
The use of hormonal suppression without gender affirming hormonal therapy can lead to adverse health effects, and so is to be undertaken carefully, and with regular oversight.
It is possible to achieve testosterone and estrogen hormone levels that are between the male and female ranges. However, at this point, there is little evidence for this practice as most research only considers binary gender options.
A Guide To Transgender Health, Heath R, Wynne K 4
Dont Miss: How To Deal With Hormonal Breakouts
Do You Have To Take Hormones To Be Trans
There is no single answer to this question as everyones transition is unique. Some people may choose to take hormones to help them physically transition, while others may not. Some people may also take hormones for other reasons, such as to help with gender dysphoria. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to take hormones is a personal one.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Dose Of Melatonin For Sleep
What Does Being Transgender Mean To Me
It means my gender crosses the usual boundaries of strictly male or female. It does not mean I am confused. I know for sure that I am not 100% male or 100% female inside and that my comfort zone shifts from time to time. I enjoy dressing in female clothes and making myself look feminine. I enjoy the femme mannerisms that I get to employ when I dress and that, for me in my life, are off limits otherwise they feel natural to me. I very much feel as though I am expressing a part of myself that is and always has been inside me. This is not just a hobby that is fun for a fleeting moment in time. And I most certainly do not feel guilty about it!
I experience feminine emotions and desires each day. I suppress them in order to function in the culture I live in. I do not feel comfortable displaying these mannerisms or emotions in guy mode or dressed as men typically do in our society. Be not confused though it isnt just about the clothes. There is a feminine component to my personality and who I am at my deepest core. This is a huge contrast to who I am on the outside most of the time. Most of the time I am as stereotypically male as the next husband, father, endurance athlete, hunter, shooting sports enthusiast, car mechanic, or infantry combat veteran. I am all of these things all of the time. My gender is not so static. Ergo I consider myself to be transgender gender fluid to be more specific .