Individuals who do not conform to traditional assignment to male and female genders are collectively known as "trans" or "transgender." These are people whose personal gender identity differs from the physical gender they were assigned at birth. Consequently, they are prone to several types of transgender health problems.
There are different degrees of transgender identity. Transvestites like to cross-dress as members of the opposite sex but do not wish to become the other sex. Drag queens and drag kings are somewhat intermediate, appearing neither feminine nor masculine. Then there are those who feel they either do not belong to either the male or female gender, or they feel a little bit of each.
Transexuals are people who have a powerful desire to live and be recognized as a member of the opposite gender to which they were born. Many of these people have gender reassignment treatment to make their appearance look more like their desired gender. This may include a combination of hormones and surgery with rigorous counselling.
Children who experience this feeling of gender misalignment feel it at a surprisingly young age. When little Nick started playing with female-oriented toys and games at the age of two, his mother noticed this but did not feel particularly concerned. By the age of four, he announced to her that God had made him a boy by mistake. When he reached the age of six years old, he told her he wanted to change his assigned gender.
Fortuitously, Nick's mother located a sympathetic doctor who was able to delay Nick's progress through puberty by injecting him with the necessary hormones. This gave him the breathing space he needed to make the right decision without the psychological agony of undergoing the physical changes associated with male puberty. Nick ultimately went through the reassignment process and became Nicki.
Transgender individuals are confronted by high levels of discrimination and social disapproval. Often this is in the form of harassment and outright violence. Consequently, they are more vulnerable than the general population to feelings of depression. They are more prone to self-harm and to suicide. Often they avoid seeking medical altogether because they anticipate rejection.
Many healthcare providers lack the expertise to deal effectively with transgender patients. They may even go so far as to turn them away and deny them medical care. Transgender health problems may not even be covered by peoples' medical insurance, setting up yet another barrier to access medical care. One serious issue is that of developing cancer in the remaining sexual organs. Transgender men who retain their uterus, ovaries or breasts may develop cancer in these organs. Similarly, transgender men may develop cancer of the prostate.
A number of organizations have sprung up over the past two decades to help improve both access and quality of medical care for the transgender population. One such organization is the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health. This organization focuses on cultural competency, mental wellness, routine care and prevention of HIV. Another organization, aimed at children and teens and their families, is the Mermaids Charity. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is another such organization. Its aim is to provide advocacy, promote evidence based care and respect for transgender individuals.
There are different degrees of transgender identity. Transvestites like to cross-dress as members of the opposite sex but do not wish to become the other sex. Drag queens and drag kings are somewhat intermediate, appearing neither feminine nor masculine. Then there are those who feel they either do not belong to either the male or female gender, or they feel a little bit of each.
Transexuals are people who have a powerful desire to live and be recognized as a member of the opposite gender to which they were born. Many of these people have gender reassignment treatment to make their appearance look more like their desired gender. This may include a combination of hormones and surgery with rigorous counselling.
Children who experience this feeling of gender misalignment feel it at a surprisingly young age. When little Nick started playing with female-oriented toys and games at the age of two, his mother noticed this but did not feel particularly concerned. By the age of four, he announced to her that God had made him a boy by mistake. When he reached the age of six years old, he told her he wanted to change his assigned gender.
Fortuitously, Nick's mother located a sympathetic doctor who was able to delay Nick's progress through puberty by injecting him with the necessary hormones. This gave him the breathing space he needed to make the right decision without the psychological agony of undergoing the physical changes associated with male puberty. Nick ultimately went through the reassignment process and became Nicki.
Transgender individuals are confronted by high levels of discrimination and social disapproval. Often this is in the form of harassment and outright violence. Consequently, they are more vulnerable than the general population to feelings of depression. They are more prone to self-harm and to suicide. Often they avoid seeking medical altogether because they anticipate rejection.
Many healthcare providers lack the expertise to deal effectively with transgender patients. They may even go so far as to turn them away and deny them medical care. Transgender health problems may not even be covered by peoples' medical insurance, setting up yet another barrier to access medical care. One serious issue is that of developing cancer in the remaining sexual organs. Transgender men who retain their uterus, ovaries or breasts may develop cancer in these organs. Similarly, transgender men may develop cancer of the prostate.
A number of organizations have sprung up over the past two decades to help improve both access and quality of medical care for the transgender population. One such organization is the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health. This organization focuses on cultural competency, mental wellness, routine care and prevention of HIV. Another organization, aimed at children and teens and their families, is the Mermaids Charity. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is another such organization. Its aim is to provide advocacy, promote evidence based care and respect for transgender individuals.
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