The terms, "transgender" and "trans" are used to describe individuals who do not conform to conventional divisions of female and male. This encompasses different types of people and lifestyles. Trans people are at increased risk for certain transgender health issues.
Transvestites are people who cross-dress, meaning they wear clothing of the opposite sex but they do not want to be a full-time member of that sex. Drag queens and drag kings are people who do not appear traditionally masculine or feminine. There are some people who feel they are neither male nor female; alternatively, they feel they are a little bit of both.
Transexuals are those who believe they were assigned the wrong gender to fit their own gender identity. These people have an overwhelming drive to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite gender to which they were assigned at birth. They may opt for gender reassignment to make themselves look like the gender with which they identify. Gender reassignment treatment involves a combination of surgery, hormone therapy and psychological counselling.
Children pick up on their gender identity sooner than we might think. Children as young as two may show playtime behavior in line with the opposite gender. By four, they may recognize that they are in the "wrong" gender and by six they may already be requesting to have their gender changed.
Fortunately, sympathetic doctors exist who will offer to administer hormone injections to block the child going through a psychologically distressing puberty until they have made a thorough decision as to which gender feels right for them. Some of these teens follow through with a full gender reassignment. Many of these people may have otherwise been driven to commit suicide.
Exposed to social disapproval and often open hostility, transgender individuals have a higher likelihood than the general population to experience severe mental distress. They are on the receiving end of harassment and violent behavior, to which they respond by becoming depressed, often leading them to self-harm or commit suicide. They will avoid seeking medical attention.
Not all healthcare providers have the necessary trans savvy to deal effectively with these patients and may even turn them away. Frequently, gender-related problems are not covered by insurance. This, too, acts as a barrier to medical care access for transgender individuals. Another issue is cancer of the retained pre-op sexual organs. Transgender men who still have ovaries, a uterus and breasts may get cancer in these organs. Trans women may be prone to prostate cancer.
Fortunately, there are a number of helpful organizations that offer help. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is one such organization. Among its missions are to promote evidence based care and respect for trans patients. The Mermaids charity exists to support children, teens and families with gender identity issues. The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health focuses on HIV prevention, routine care, mental wellness and cultural competency.
Transvestites are people who cross-dress, meaning they wear clothing of the opposite sex but they do not want to be a full-time member of that sex. Drag queens and drag kings are people who do not appear traditionally masculine or feminine. There are some people who feel they are neither male nor female; alternatively, they feel they are a little bit of both.
Transexuals are those who believe they were assigned the wrong gender to fit their own gender identity. These people have an overwhelming drive to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite gender to which they were assigned at birth. They may opt for gender reassignment to make themselves look like the gender with which they identify. Gender reassignment treatment involves a combination of surgery, hormone therapy and psychological counselling.
Children pick up on their gender identity sooner than we might think. Children as young as two may show playtime behavior in line with the opposite gender. By four, they may recognize that they are in the "wrong" gender and by six they may already be requesting to have their gender changed.
Fortunately, sympathetic doctors exist who will offer to administer hormone injections to block the child going through a psychologically distressing puberty until they have made a thorough decision as to which gender feels right for them. Some of these teens follow through with a full gender reassignment. Many of these people may have otherwise been driven to commit suicide.
Exposed to social disapproval and often open hostility, transgender individuals have a higher likelihood than the general population to experience severe mental distress. They are on the receiving end of harassment and violent behavior, to which they respond by becoming depressed, often leading them to self-harm or commit suicide. They will avoid seeking medical attention.
Not all healthcare providers have the necessary trans savvy to deal effectively with these patients and may even turn them away. Frequently, gender-related problems are not covered by insurance. This, too, acts as a barrier to medical care access for transgender individuals. Another issue is cancer of the retained pre-op sexual organs. Transgender men who still have ovaries, a uterus and breasts may get cancer in these organs. Trans women may be prone to prostate cancer.
Fortunately, there are a number of helpful organizations that offer help. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is one such organization. Among its missions are to promote evidence based care and respect for trans patients. The Mermaids charity exists to support children, teens and families with gender identity issues. The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health focuses on HIV prevention, routine care, mental wellness and cultural competency.
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