Sydney,
Australia — Female to male (FTM) transsexuality
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexuality>
has long been a marginalised issue, meaning that there is
limited medical information available on the long-term
effects of testosterone usage. Anecdotal evidence can
chart the short-term physical changes but very little
data exists for transmen about the risks of heart
diseases, increased blood pressure, osteoporosis or the
dangers of double dosing.
The Gender Centre
<http://www.gendercentre.org.au/>
and FTM Australia <http://www.ftmaustralia.org/>
will each be holding information sessions this month for
lesbians interested in the use of testosterone. The
physical and emotional impact of transitioning will be
examined, as well as a number of the health issues
surrounding testosterone administration.
[Ed: information sessions for "lesbians
interested in the use of testosterone", were the words
of this reporter and never part of FTMA's
advertising.]
Elizabeth Riley,
coordinator of the Gender Centre, says that despite the
lack of definitive research, more FTMs are transitioning
now than ever before. Riley said that information
sessions, like the one being held at the Gender Centre,
are a good way of generating an awareness of the hormone
regime and providing a support network for transgender
men and boys.
"In the last five years
we have seen a significant increase in the number of
female-to-males coming through the centre to use the
services. But the transition itself is just one area we
are focussing on at the centre because the impact of the
hormone treatments tends to involve much more than just
what happens to one physically," Riley said.
"There is often a lot of
counselling needed around the impact of that transition
on an individual. There are many factors that come into
it, like the changes in lifestyle and how one is
perceived in the world."
The bottom line is that
nobody knows what the long-term health risks associated
with testosterone are. However, due to the emerging
numbers of transmen using the hormone for prolonged
periods, the short-term physical effects can now be
charted.
"The impact that an
individual experiences tends to be what they are seeking.
The hormone regimes that FTMs go onto in order to create
that transition have a very similar effect to standard
male puberty," Riley said.
"With the doses of
testosterone, the impact would be like that of any boy
that grows into manhood. That includes muscle
development, deepening of the voice, as well as the
growth of body and facial hair."
According to Riley, these
are just a few of the complex issues that will be raised
at the Gender Centre's information evening.
Unlike the Gender Centre,
which is partly funded by government health bodies, FTM
Australia is a voluntary peer support network. Both
organisations have the same basic aim though, which is to
provide education, support and affirmation for
transmen.
FTM Australia publishes a
bi-monthly magazine called Torque, to identify friendly
service providers and medical practitioners and to help
transmen come to terms with their masculine
identities.
The object of the group
is to help transmen lead healthy and fulfilling lives and
the board of nine people regularly meets to organise
workshops and events.
This month FTM Australia
have invited Leo Turner to give a talk about testosterone
in relation to FTMs, transmen and others affirming their
masculinity.
Turner is a clinical
nurse consultant in andrology at the Andrology Unit at
Concord Hospital <http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/concord/>,
so there will be a number of informative topics
discussed, such as the options of shots or pellets for
hormone delivery and the types of medical follow-ups
necessary for the treatments.
It is becoming quite
clear that the numbers of transgender men and boys
requiring emotional and medical support are significantly
increasing. Both FTM Australia and the Gender Centre are
providing a much-needed service for transmen and they
also assist the partners, family and friends of
transitioning FTMs in what can sometimes be a difficult
but rewarding process.
