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 levels of trans identity. Transvestites like to wear clothing that is traditionally associated with the opposite sex but they are not interested in changing their gender assignment on a full-time basis. Drag kings and queens are individuals who do not appear to be either traditionally feminine or masculine. Others feel they are either a little of both or neither one.
Transexuals are people who have a strong desire to live as a member of the opposite sex to which they were assigned at birth. Often they will undergo gender reassignment to formalize the transition to become recognized and accepted as the other sex. Treatment involves a combination of psychological counselling, hormone treatment and surgical intervention.
From a surprisingly young age, children may begin expressing behavior that may indicate they have been born with the "wrong" gender. Take the case of Nick, whose mother noticed that he started playing conventionally girly games from the age of two. By the age of four, he told her God had made a mistake when he made him a boy. By the age of six, he expressed the desire to change his 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.
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.
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.
In the past two decades, several organizations have been established to help correct these problems. The Mermaids charity, for example, supports kids, teens and their families with gender identity topics. The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health focuses its attention on preventing HIV, mental well-being, routine care and cultural competency. The World Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), formerly the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, exists to provide advocacy, care and respect for trans patients.
There are different levels of trans identity. Transvestites like to wear clothing that is traditionally associated with the opposite sex but they are not interested in changing their gender assignment on a full-time basis. Drag kings and queens are individuals who do not appear to be either traditionally feminine or masculine. Others feel they are either a little of both or neither one.
Transexuals are people who have a strong desire to live as a member of the opposite sex to which they were assigned at birth. Often they will undergo gender reassignment to formalize the transition to become recognized and accepted as the other sex. Treatment involves a combination of psychological counselling, hormone treatment and surgical intervention.
From a surprisingly young age, children may begin expressing behavior that may indicate they have been born with the "wrong" gender. Take the case of Nick, whose mother noticed that he started playing conventionally girly games from the age of two. By the age of four, he told her God had made a mistake when he made him a boy. By the age of six, he expressed the desire to change his 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.
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.
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.
In the past two decades, several organizations have been established to help correct these problems. The Mermaids charity, for example, supports kids, teens and their families with gender identity topics. The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health focuses its attention on preventing HIV, mental well-being, routine care and cultural competency. The World Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), formerly the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, exists to provide advocacy, care and respect for trans patients.
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