Medical transition is a part of transition in which a transgender person undergoes medical treatments so that their sex characteristics better match their gender identity. Medical transition can be described as feminising (for transfeminine people), masculinising (for transmasculine people) or gender neutralizing, where sex characteristics are removed or made androgynous, which may be desired by non-binary people, especially those who are agender or neutrois.
Medical transition generally requires the approval of a doctor before treatment can begin. This often means that one must be diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder before being able to transition medically. Some doctors require a social transition to have been completed for at least a year before surgery can take place. These restrictions are a form of gatekeeping.
Examples of procedures involved in medical transition may include:
- Gender confirmation surgery, which includes top surgery and bottom surgery along with other procedures.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy, involving the taking of sex hormones such as testosterone or estrogen.
- Puberty blockers to delay puberty for transgender children and teenagers.
- Voice therapy to change the pitch of one's voice.
- Epilation (hair removal) in order to reduce body and/or facial hair.
see also[]
Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People (experienced therapist will not use this but useful if you can't find a therapist familiar with Trans* issues)
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