Transsexuality: Encyclopedia II - Transsexuality - Retransitions

Transsexuality - Retransitions

While rare, transsexuals sometimes choose to retransition to their original sex. However, every recent study done on the number of these cases states that their number is well below 1%, and that the reasons for retransitioning are very diverse. See this article in the International Journal of Transgenderism for examples.

These cases are often cited as reasons for the lengthy triadic process outlined in the Standards of Care, which specifies a treatment process combining psychological, hormonal, and surgical care. While many have criticized this process as being too slow for some, it is argued that without the safeguards within the Standards of Care, the incidence of unsuccessful surgical transitions would be much higher. This is also questioned by many critics, especially with regard to particular demands or behaviour of some caregivers. The article above states that in some of these cases, transitioning could have been prevented if some demands made by caregivers, or demands perceived as coming from the caregivers, had been less rigid; particularly, if the patients had not felt that talking about any problems or doubts would jeopardize their further treatment. (An unwavering demand for medical treatment and the absolute conviction of "doing the right thing" is often indeed seen as a necessary for the diagnosis of transsexualism, and therefore the prerequisite for any further treatment; consequently, further treatment has indeed been denied to people who uttered any doubts or even questions.)

Critics claim that when patients cannot talk about problems or doubts, but have to present themselves as having neither, the patients, anxious to get treatment they perceive at this point to be absolutely necessary, will face these problems or doubts after transitioning, when dealing with them may be much more difficult, and this will often lead to social problems, depression, anxiety, or similar problems. They believe that, in some rare cases, this may lead to a retransitioning. While there is no scientific study on the question, many trans*-organisations and groups claim, based on experience, that the less pressure felt by the patient to conform to any particular stereotype, the more satisfactory the outcome of the transition will be. This does not preclude any screening for mental problems which might lead to pseudo-transsexuality, nor supportive psychological therapy, if necessary.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Retransitions", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki