Sexuality and psychological well being

[Josie Beth]

Please move this if it fits another category better. 

 

I’m reading a lot about psychology and being transgender and it’s taking me to some very interesting studies and anecdotal evidence. I’m finding out that I’m falling into a subcategory that’s been labeled as being at higher risk for depression and negative health consequences. I’m really astonished that some of the same conclusions were reached by doctors that I’ve always felt deep inside. I’m finding out that just the act of starting transition is a huge psychological boost, I’m finding out that social acceptance is a huge factor in my mental health, and I’m even discovering that certain studies indicate that a healthy sexual life in the context of a commitment is a huge benefit to psychological well being. It’s making me very interested in finding out more information about how a mtf body reacts to sex in relation to mental health but no focused studies exist where the participants are in a committed relationship with someone who is Cis gender male. Most studies disturbingly focus on transgender women who engage in sex work and promiscuous unsafe sex. I’m concerned about this because the data is skewed and incomplete and often the studies that do delve into transgender sexuality tend to endorse binary Cis gender unprotected pvi sex as the only healthy and psychologically stable sexual behavior. I’m some ways I agree with the findings but in other ways I don’t because the data is incomplete. Most of the sample population of both transgender women and gay bottom men were people who engaged in high risk behavior and were predominantly depressed and unhappy with themselves instead of being from a focus group of people happy with themselves and in a stable psychological state. I realize that it’s difficult to find people who fit the profile and are more psychologically mature and are also in a committed relationship that presents as gender normative. 

 

I guess I’m just concerned about it because I really want to have some evidence that what I feel is correct for me can be beneficial to mental and physical health. I’m only finding anecdotal information from other transgender women who identify as heterosexual on blogs or on YouTube, but not the clinical nitty gritty. It’s very frustrating that this is a very neglected area of research.

[Cyndee]

2 hours ago, Josie Beth said:

I’m finding out that I’m falling into a subcategory that’s been labeled as being at higher risk for depression and negative health consequences.

 

Agree with above Josie, being MTF is risky, it's a long hard road, it's not a bed of roses to be sure, why would anyone sane go down this path ? That's why you see so many say "transition only if you have to". Having said all that, I am so much happier and content for transitioning in hindsight. Living as the woman I know myself to be, is the stuff my dreams as a young person were made of.

 

That's one of the main reasons this site exists, the depression risks, it can be a deep pit to fall into, a vortex that sweeps many away. We try and help each other here, a lifeline into the vortex of hell.

 

Good day

 

C -

[Josie Beth]

I’m not saying I’m depressed because I’m actually feeling a lot better about things since I’ve decided to follow through. With each transition related task I set my mind on slowly becoming reality my mental health is actually improving. It’s being able to do something about it that helps. As long as I’m alive and stay the course it’s worth every milestone, every penny, every struggle.

 

What I’m curious about is how positive influences improve the quality of life for transgender women. I’m not following this path to be a martyr like Joan of Arc. I didn’t sign up for Opus Dei because I’m transgender. I’d rather be a beacon of hope. It’s always been my dream to be that for someone. Even if it’s only one person that draws hope from my experience.

 

I’m aware of the risks but those risks are quantified and they don’t have to be what rules my transition because they are largely in my control if I go into everything well informed. Boobs hurt? So what because they are growing. Spiro has negative long term risks? I’ve got a plan to minimize the risk. 

 

However, there’s not much accessible information about the benefits of long term sexual relationships that I know can improve the quality of life for us. And I really want to break the mold in that domain because I feel it’s a part of the overall package of improving mental health. It’s just a gut feeling but there’s scientific data that backs it up for Cis gender couples and exploring the same benefits for transgender women has been glossed over by the scientific community. It’s almost like they are saying “sorry, that’s not for you.” And I’m saying “oh yes I can!”

 

For instance there’s vague references to this idea in anecdotes from Native American culture and the acceptance of two spirits who lived successfully as women and were even married to a man. They lived a fulfilling role in the life of the tribe and even adopted children. They were valuable members of their communities. This was long before the epidemic of AIDS and the ills of our western society. They had the complete package of support and love that our society has lost because of a societal illness of fear and prejudice, and a culture of prohibition with stigmas that should not even exist. I’m sure there’s other cultures with examples as well that have been suppressed by western society. So why does it have to be that transgender women must look forward to a life of hardship, loneliness and a mental plateau? It doesn’t have to be that way. I’m not an island. Sure I’m doing this for me, but I’m also going to effect others. That ripple effect should be as positive as possible. That’s why I’m even studying things like this. Call it rebellious, call it naive, but I want to make a difference.

[VickySGV]

Just now, Josie Beth said:

However, there’s not much accessible information about the benefits of long term sexual relationships that I know can improve the quality of life for us.

 

In another 20 - 25 years,  we may well have this information but it is in formation, and these studies take time.  Western European and many U.S. based social institutions have denied and suppressed the existence of Transgender identity or have lumped it into  the pornography trade or placed it as a component with the Gay communities. Substantial work done in the pre1930's was lost when Hitler had the library of Magnus Hirschfield destroyed in an attempt to "purify Germany"   It was not until Dr. Harry Benjamin published his major work The Transsexual Phenomena that post WWII U.S., Canada and Europe had information from a medical source to even begin a focal study on Transgender people who were not part of the Homosexual communities or the adult fantasy scene. 

 

I can go on for several more paragraphs here, but in a nutshell, we are at a point where the phenomena you are looking for in studies and the necessary statistical populations to conduct the research are just becoming public and hopefully willing to participate in those studies, which to be accurate and persuasive must take place over several more decades.  

[Josie Beth]

That’s part of the reason. I did read that they choose some groups because they have a larger demographic to draw from but I really think the transgender community is gaining critical mass now more than ever, even in spite of the information contrary to what is going on. Just from the last couple of days I’ve run into more girls like me who started and then stopped transitioning but are starting again just like me. It’s affirming and enlightening. I know just brief interactions and new friendships are forming that none of us could have imagined. And they are starting in the most unlikely place. On a dating app billed for gay men. When support groups and the community fails, life finds a way to facilitate what we need. Finding new local friends is a part of a complete mental health package and specifically the social acceptance and twinning phenomena. I hope that we all become close friends and find support in sharing a similar experience because we already have so much in common. The number is growing so eventually we will be a decent sized group. It’s definitely exhilarating. 

[VickySGV]

I should have mentioned above that I have taken part in several scientific studies, and do so when I get the chance. It is actually a non-threatening way to contribute when I can.  The LGBT health Pride Study is an ongoing information survey by the University of San Francisco which is a school that my mother actually got her BA and  RN from back in 1943.  The National Center for Transgender Equality along with the Williams Institute from UCLA also have put out studies frequently since 2013, and they are fun to participate in for me. 

 

[Josie Beth]

Coolness Vicky! I’m looking forward to participating in some myself!