Gender Dysphoria: The Role of Sex Reassignment Surgery

Introduction. Controversies on clitoral anatomy and its role in female sexual function still make clitoral reconstructive surgery very challenging. We evaluated the role of clitoral anatomic features in female to male sex reassignment surgery.Material and Methods. The study included 97 female transsexuals, aged from 18 to 41 years, who underwent single stage metoidioplasty between March 2008 and January 2013. The operative technique involved vaginectomy, the release of clitoral ligaments and urethral plate, urethroplasty by combining buccal mucosa graft and genital flaps, and scrotoplasty with insertion of testicle prostheses. Postoperative questionnaire was used to evaluate aesthetic, functional, and sexual outcome.Results. The mean followup was 30 months. The mean length of the neophallus was 7 cm, compared to mean preoperative length of the hypertrophied clitoris of 3.3 cm. Complications occurred in 27.84% of all patients, related mostly to urethroplasty. Voiding while standing was achieved in all cases. None of the patients had problems in sexual arousal, masturbation, or orgasms.Conclusion. Accurate knowledge of the clitoral anatomy, physiology, and neurovascular supply is crucial for a successful outcome of female to male sex reassignment surgery. Our approach appears to ensure overall satisfaction and high quality of sexual life.

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Prevalence and demography of transsexualism in Belgium

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2006.10.002 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 137-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 165

Author(s):

G. De Cuypere ◽

M. Van Hemelrijck ◽

A. Michel ◽

B. Carael ◽

G. Heylens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Gender Dysphoria ◽

The Other ◽

Sex Reassignment Surgery ◽

Sex Reassignment ◽

Demographic Study ◽

French Speaking ◽

Belgian Population ◽

The One ◽

Male To Female

AbstractAimThe Belgian medical world has acknowledged the diagnosis of transsexualism and accepted Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) as one of the steps in the treatment of choice since 1985. This prevalence and demographic study analyses data on all Belgian individuals who have undergone SRS since that year.MethodsAll (188) plastic surgeons as well as all gender teams (Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, and Liège) in Belgium were sent demographic questionnaires to be completed for each of their transsexual patients.ResultsThe results show an overall prevalence of 1:12,900 for male-to-female and 1:33,800 for female-to-male transsexuals in Belgium. In Wallonia (the French-speaking region of Belgium) the prevalence is significantly lower than in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking region) and in Brussels (the bilingual capital region). In the total Belgian population the male/female sex ratio is 2.43:1, again with a substantial difference between Wallonia on the one hand and Flanders on the other.Discussion and ConclusionWhile in Flanders and in Brussels the prevalence is comparable to that in other Western European countries, in Wallonia it is markedly lower. Transsexualism in Wallonia appears to be socially less acceptable: persons suffering from gender dysphoria in that part of Belgium encounter more problems accessing gender clinics and receiving treatment.

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The Principle of Totality Does Not Justify Sex Reassignment Surgery

Ethics & Medics ◽

10.5840/em2016411121 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 41 (11) ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

Travis Stephens ◽

Keyword(s):

Gender Dysphoria ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Human Person ◽

The Body ◽

Sex Reassignment Surgery ◽

Sex Reassignment ◽

Expert Opinions ◽

Course Of Action ◽

Appropriate Treatment ◽

The Individual

Expert opinions diverge on appropriate treatment for gender dysphoria. Some encourage the pursuit of counseling that helps one to identify with one’s natal sex. Others encourage people struggling with gender dysphoria to change the body to match the so-called inside. The latter advocate the use of hormone replacement therapies and sex reassignment surgeries to facilitate the transition. Such procedures are not only immoral because they render the patient sterile, but also because they reject the God-given personhood that is manifest through one’s sexuality. Since sexuality constitutes so much more than genitalia, sex reassignment surgery does not actually change one’s sexuality. Rather, it merely maims the individual, limiting her ability to love authentically as a sexual person. Out of respect for the human person, the only appropriate course of action is to counsel these individuals and encourage them to overcome the inhibitions that prevent them from embracing their natal sex.

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Psychiatric Axis I Comorbidities among Patients with Gender Dysphoria

Psychiatry Journal ◽

10.1155/2014/971814 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Azadeh Mazaheri Meybodi ◽

Ahmad Hajebi ◽

Atefeh Ghanbari Jolfaei

Keyword(s):

Gender Dysphoria ◽

Psychiatric Comorbidity ◽

Adjustment Disorder ◽

Specific Phobia ◽

Sex Reassignment Surgery ◽

Sex Reassignment ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Axis I Disorders ◽

Axis I ◽

Dsm Iv

Objectives. Cooccurring psychiatric disorders influence the outcome and prognosis of gender dysphoria. The aim of this study is to assess psychiatric comorbidities in a group of patients.Methods. Eighty-three patients requesting sex reassignment surgery (SRS) were recruited and assessed through the Persian Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-I).Results. Fifty-seven (62.7%) patients had at least one psychiatric comorbidity. Major depressive disorder (33.7%), specific phobia (20.5%), and adjustment disorder (15.7%) were the three most prevalent disorders.Conclusion. Consistent with most earlier researches, the majority of patients with gender dysphoria had psychiatric Axis I comorbidity.

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Psychosocial Adjustment to Sex Reassignment Surgery: A Qualitative Examination and Personal Experiences of Six Transsexual Persons in Croatia

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/960745 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nataša Jokić-Begić ◽

Anita Lauri Korajlija ◽

Tanja Jurin

Keyword(s):

Psychosocial Adjustment ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Protective Role ◽

Sexual Relationships ◽

Self Report ◽

Sex Reassignment Surgery ◽

Sex Reassignment ◽

High Motivation

In Croatia, transgender individuals face numerous social and medical obstacles throughout the process of transition. The aim of this study was to depict the factors contributing to the psychosocial adjustment of six transsexual individuals living in Croatia following sex reassignment surgery (SRS). A combination of quantitative and qualitative self-report methods was used. Due to the specificity of the sample, the data were collected online. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess mental health and quality of life alongside a series of open-ended questions divided into 4 themes: the decision-making process regarding SRS; social and medical support during the SRS process; experience of discrimination and stigmatizing behaviors; psychosocial adjustment after SRS. Despite the unfavorable circumstances in Croatian society, participants demonstrated stable mental, social, and professional functioning, as well as a relative resilience to minority stress. Results also reveal the role of pretransition factors such as high socioeconomic status, good premorbid functioning, and high motivation for SRS in successful psychosocial adjustment. During and after transition, participants reported experiencing good social support and satisfaction with the surgical treatment and outcomes. Any difficulties reported by participants are related to either sexual relationships or internalized transphobia. The results also demonstrate the potentially protective role that a lengthier process of transition plays in countries such as Croatia.

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