It is important for healthcare practitioners to note that while a biological sex change is impossible – legal sex can be changed. Government and healthcare service policies do allow people to change their 'sex marker' or 'gender marker' on official documentation such as passports or medical records.
You can change your gender on federal formal documents or records by applying to the agency that looks after the document or record that you want to change. There are Australian Government Guidelines on recognising gender (see the link further below under 'Where to get help and information').
Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people may identify as straight, gay, bisexual or some other sexual orientation.
Gender dysphoria can be lessened by supportive environments and knowledge about treatment to reduce the difference between your inner gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
Take your time, transitioning can take a long time. On average it takes 2-3 years. Talk to people in your trans support group if you want help with your appearance.
Your body will begin to redistribute your weight. Fat will diminish somewhat around your hips and thighs. Your arms and legs will develop more muscle definition, with more prominent veins and a slightly rougher appearance, as the fat just beneath the skin becomes a bit thinner.
After you begin feminizing hormone therapy, you'll notice the following changes in your body over time: Fewer erections and a decrease in ejaculation. This will begin 1 to 3 months after treatment starts. The full effect will happen within 3 to 6 months.
If gender dysphoria persists during puberty, it is very likely permanent.
Compared to cisgender men, transgender women have a higher risk of breast cancer and transgender women > 50 years old have a higher risk of fractures. Transgender men have a higher risk of myocardial infarction than cisgender women.
Although gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, when not addressed, it may lead to worsening mood issues, depression and anxiety, and may further complicate the issues the individuals may be having. Insurance may cover some illnesses associated with gender dysphoria and gender dysphoria care.
Cross-dresser: A term for people who dress in clothing traditionally or stereotypically worn by the other sex, but who generally have no intent to live full-time as the other gender. Transvestite: A term for a cross-dresser that is considered derogatory by many.
Genderfluid: This term can be used as a specific identity or as a way of articulating the changing nature of one's gender identity or expression. People who are genderfluid may feel that their gender identity or expression is constantly changing, or that it switches back and forth.
Gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder (also called transsexualism) is a strong and persistent desire to identify with the opposite gender rather than the given biological or anatomical gender.
How much will gender affirming surgery cost me? Gender affirming surgery can be very expensive. It can cost between $20,000 to more than $100,000, depending on which procedures you need. Your surgeon will be able to tell you how much surgery will cost.
Gender diversity
Some Australian laws and policies already allow people to be recognised as 'X' or 'non-binary'. But most birth certificate laws are too narrow and don't allow gender diverse people to use the terms that best describe their gender identity on their own ID.
The categories of male and female are unchanged. There are a small number of people in Australia who fall outside this binary or will change their gender in their lifetime. The guidelines ensure Australian Government records can reflect this.
The stages are shock, anger, acceptance and commitment. People's initial reaction to the change will likely be shock or denial as they refuse to accept that change is happening.
Transitioning is a personal decision specific to the individual, so how a person goes about transitioning can change over time and vary from person to person. There are three main types of transitions someone could go through: social, legal, and physical.
marked incongruence between your experienced and expressed gender and your primary or secondary sex characteristics. strong desire to be rid of your primary or secondary sex characteristics. strong desire for the primary or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender. strong desire to be of the other gender.
Studies suggest that gender dysphoria may have biological causes associated with the development of gender identity before birth. More research is needed before the causes of gender dysphoria can be fully understood.
According to DSM-5-TR, the prevalence of gender dysphoria is 0.005–0.014% for adult natal males and 0.002-0.003% for adult natal females.
According to Dr. Bernstein "erectile dysfunction, weight gain, decrease in libido or sexual drive, enlargement of the breast tissue, depression, loss of energy or feeling tired and decrease in muscle mass" are some of the symptoms you could expect if you live with high estrogen.
Although the male body needs estrogen to function properly, high estrogen levels can cause health problems such as gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction, or infertility.
Testosterone therapy has various risks, including: Worsening sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Causing acne or other skin reactions. Stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and growth of existing prostate cancer.