Gender Reassignment Surgery

Gender reassignment surgery, clinically known as genitoplasty procedure, is a surgical procedure preferred by most transgenders. This procedure involves physical alteration or gender reconstruction (male to female and female to male). Transgenders are persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria by a psychiatrist. Some transgenders do not opt for a sex change operation and are comfortable with what they have.

Sex reassignment surgery is done to people diagnosed with gender dysphoria. In-depth assessments are done and patients should undergo psychological counseling, hormonal therapy, and social gender role transition for at least a year before undergoing gender change surgery.

Gender dysphoria causes a feeling of distress to an individual because of the discrepancy between their biological gender and identified gender. They have persistent feelings to be identified as their identified gender. People with gender dysphoria need assessment, counseling, and acceptance as who they are.

A comprehensive assessment is done by specialists in the Gender Dysphoria (GD) clinic to diagnose a child or an adult. They assess behaviors based on specific criteria and offer help and support.

Children may show:

• Asserting their identified gender
• Wearing clothes matching their identified gender
• Engaging in gender-preferred activities
• Using toilet habits of the preferred gender
• Believing their body will change
• Distress during puberty

Teenagers or adults may show:

• Discomfort with their biological sex
• Desire to be identified as their preferred gender
• Strong urge to change physical traits
• Anxiety and social or occupational impairment

For children:

• Family therapy
• Child psychotherapy
• Parent support and counseling
• Group activities for children and parents
• Hormonal therapy (GnRH) to delay puberty

For teenagers and adults:

• Mental health support
• Hormonal treatment
• Speech therapy
• Hair removal treatment
• Peer and family support groups
• Gender reassignment surgery

Social gender role transition for 1–2 years, using feminine clothing and pronouns.

Hormonal therapy results:

• Smaller penis and testicles
• Muscle reduction
• Fat redistribution to hips
• Breast development
• Reduced hair growth

Surgical procedures:

• Breast implants
• Facial feminization surgery
• Voice change surgery
• Orchiectomy, penectomy, vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty
• Clitoroplasty, gluteoplasty

Social transition using male identity for 1–2 years.

Hormonal therapy results:

• Facial and body hair growth
• Muscle development
• Clitoral enlargement
• Menstrual cessation
• Increased libido

Surgical procedures:

• Bilateral mastectomy
• Hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy
• Phalloplasty or metoidioplasty
• Penile and testicular implants

Hormonal therapy risks:

• Breast cancer risk
• Blood pressure and insulin issues
• Lipid abnormalities
• Weight gain and blood clots

Surgery-related risks:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Anesthesia complications

Q: What type of doctor performs gender reassignment surgery?
A: A team of specialists including gynecologists, urologists, reconstructive surgeons, and microsurgeons.

Q: Does the surgery help?
A: Yes. Over 95% of transgender patients report satisfaction.

Q: Can you legally change gender?
A: Depends on country laws. Some require surgery; others allow change after a gender dysphoria diagnosis.

Q: Where can I get this surgery?
A: At medical centers offering transgender healthcare services.

Q: How many people have gender dysphoria?
A: 1 in 30,000 biological males and 1 in 100,000 biological females.

Q: What’s the process for male to female change?
A: Mental and hormonal treatment followed by surgery after 1–2 years of social transition.

Q: How do female to male surgeries work?
A: Procedures include mastectomy, hysterectomy, phalloplasty/metoidioplasty, and implants.

Q: Can you have children after surgery?
A: Fertility may be affected. Discuss gamete storage with your doctor.

Q: Where is gender change illegal?
A: Some countries like Venezuela, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia restrict gender change legally.