Transgender: Do I have an actual diagnosis?


You read in my last post that the phenomenon of transgender is not new.  This of course makes sense as does the existence of homosexuality, BDSM, polygamy, and other things related to how people, since the beginning of time, have chosen to relate to each other and the world. During the 20th and 21st centuries, advances in sex reassignment surgery as well as transgender activism have influenced transgender life and the current perception of transgender people in the United States. During my investigation of surgical options for myself, I was surprised to learn about all  the options for bottom surgery for F to M transition. I was not interested in changing anything below the waist, and this is commonly found in most trans-men (F to M transgender individuals; women who have altered their appearance to look like and live as males). Just taking testosterone will change an F body and cause the acquisition of some secondary male characteristics.  Some desirable, and some for me, not so much.  These include; deepening of the voice (well who doesn't want to be take more seriously), thinning of head hair and male pattern baldness, redistribution of fat to the midsection, acne, increased facial and body hair, and enlargement of the clitoris. 
(More about my decision to take low-dose testosterone later)
Since the 1950s in the US, there have existed surgeons on board with helping to sculpt a person's body, genitals, facial contours, Adam's apple, etc, into that of the opposite sex. Hormone supplementation was key.  Many pioneers led the way before this was even known. And many paid the price of botched surgeries and deadly post-operative infections.  Understanding the risks, and going forward anyway; such bravery. It was more traditional for M to F transition to be in the limelight.  And as with F to M, there are a plethora of surgical procedures from which to choose.  I will leave this discussion to my trans-sisters. BUT, any and all procedures, whether for F to M or M to F were not paid for by insurance and very expensive.  This prevented many like myself, from even dreaming of such a thing.  Then came  ICD-9 code (now ICD-10 F64.9) for gender dysphoria. A real diagnosis deserves real treatment. 

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