WPATH announces new standards of care for transgender and gender nonconforming people

[VickySGV]

Kieran, please give us specific pages and names related to your concerns. I can puzzle out this much of what you refer to---

So called Repairative Therapy that you describe is specifically described as Un Ethical and NOT to be used. The citation of the work you find problematical was to refute the validity of the theory they had advocated, not to include it as part of the current standards.

The surgery differences between trans men and trans women relate to specific surgeries and not generally for all surgeries.

The SOC paper is a highly technical publication, and does require a bit of understanding based on education levels that even very bright people without that level will misinterpret. .

[Guest TheFearfulOne]

Interesting. I will read through it once the computer gets done with virus/spyware scans.

On the one hand, I like the lessened restrictions mentioned in the OP and the article linked to. On the other hand, I think I should still speak to a therapist about options. I don't want to hear the horror stories of people who transitioned and regretted it. Just looking at the effects of HRT is enough to tell me it'll be a change with consequences I will be dealing with my entire life. No matter how I feel (I am quite a bit calmer now than when I was first posting) that is not the kind of decision one should rush into.

Even more so if one isn't mentally stable due to starting to come to terms with these thoughts.

[Guest Maggie_O]

The person I know started as a gay male who became a drag-queen and sang base in a rock band.

... [a lot snipped for length]

Mia

I know I quoted Mia, but this isn't to her, specifically, but to all such experiences. I believe what she says completely. Such things do happen to the confused and unfortunate. I think there is a larger issue to blame, for which this is but one symptom. That issue is the general non-acceptance of all LGBT people by society at large.

That attitude causes people to hide instead of seeking help, to lie to everyone about who and what they are instead of being comfortable enough to be true to themselves. In such cases people can't get a clear understanding of themselves in order to make the right important decisions.

There is another huge ramifications here too, the general belief among many Anti-LGBT people that your friends case is the norm in our community. That people don't really know what they are and will do things like this if they are allowed to transition. Then as a result, those anti's want to use that as an excuse for further anti or banning activity, to all of our detriment.

So, what real percentage of transition regret exists in the general trams population? Does anyone have a real, accurate answer? Is it something as small as maybe .01% or as high as maybe 10%?

Whatever the percentage, I would personally like to see people going to a good therapist no matter what else goes on. With the right therapist it can mean a huge improvement in their lives. I know that I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't found the one I have now. She's amazing. She even wants to just learn more about transfolk in general as she now has a half dozen or so trans patients. But I digress ...

I'd like to see people see a therapist, but not one with the sole veto power over our lives. I've seen that too and it can be really ugly, deadly even.

Thanks everyone.

[Carolyn Marie]

Maggie, there was a very good study done in Europe a few years ago that included long term follow up of about 1,000 MtFs, and about 400 FtMs. For both groups, the regret factor was no more than 3 percent.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Chrysee]

Ironic that this should appear just as I've begun seeing a therapist. Nonetheless, I am appreciating my time sharing with this person. As I mentioned in another thread, I was so shocked when he asked me what my time frame was. I replied that I would not even presume to say but would prefer to leave that up to him. I pointed out that I have heard of therapy lasting for as long as a year or more before the therapist feels the patient is ready to move on. He shook his head and assured me that he did not see that as being necessary for me. He even began to suggest what would be included in my letter.

As to Real Life Experience, I am an androgyne and began presenting in drag or in a androgynous mix in public right after coming out.

I appreciate the change in the Standards of Care, as it is not always easy to comply with, viz-a-vis being able to find or afford the therapist. The medical group to which I belong, an extensive one to be sure, had never even heard of one. Seriously.

Thanks so for the update, Bettet2010. I've downloaded the pdv and shall pass the link along to my therapist.

Later,

Cissy

[Guest EllaElls]

Still no hormones for under 18's yet :-( - but I guess this is a start.......? *doubt*

Although I can understand why this is the case, it does make life very difficult at times!- I believe it should be 15/16 if your gender therapist feels you're ready, but I guess I'm biassed there haha :-) x

[Guest Lolsmiley1341]

Hi I'm sorry I don't think I read this correctly did they say adolescence can have hormones before 16? Thanks

[Guest EllaElls]

no, I don't think we can...... :-( - but if only we could!!

[VickySGV]

Adolescents can be treated with hormones in unique circumstances determined by their therapist, but the preferred method for them is to get puberty arresting drugs that will put the stop on undesired development until they are over the age of majority where they live. The big reason is safety, since there is no or little scientific study on the levels of cross gender hormones in teenagers or younger children, and adult doses may cause problems. The hormones that are produced in puberty are ones only produced in teenage bodies. The problem is that teenage bodies change daily, and so do the hormones in them. If you have a couple of billion dollars and the study subjects, in 12 years you may get an answer, but by then you will be 12 years older too,

[Guest Lani]

Interesting... I hope this is for the "better"...

It's easier for "fakes" to trick the system now....

"sigh" :/

[Guest ghostwolf1995]

I'm really glad i don't have to live a year as Nick to get a hysterctomy...it causes me so much pain to know I had to wait...and now I don't! This is the best news I've had all day...!

[Guest amanda_s]

very interesting thanks for sharing

reparative therapy is unethical," there was even more applause.” Ken zucker must be going nuts about now

Amanda

[Guest Robin Robin]

Does anybody know how to find out what the SOC standards are in Mich?

Robin

[MackenzieB]

Does anybody know how to find out what the SOC standards are in Mich?

Robin

Generally speaking, the SOC is pretty much an international standard sort of thing. It's definitely not any kind of mandated directive like the FDA or the NFPA 99 would be in the medical field. But most GTs' and TS Healthcare providers do follow it. You may want to contact a LGBT Center in Michigan to find out if there might be any particulr State laws which they have to follow. For instance, here in Washington it's a State law that you have to have a letter from a therapist in order to get started on hrt. Regardless of the SOC.

Of course that's for every healthcare system in the state except the one I work at (we're Fed Gov). Here it's handed out like candy. Ask and you shall receive...

[Guest Cynthia Of Creation]

i lived 21 years as a me now i am a women so by there logic than i should get it now and fudge there little test because you know what ive already done the living as a woman for a year cuz ive been a woman.

[Guest theotherway]

Thankyou so much for posting the WPATH standards changes, they make my future look a lot more positive. you've genuinely made my day - heck, you've made my year :')

[Guest lostflower]

I had been asking for HRT before transition for nearly a year while I had self prescribed anti Andrewgens (and no I don't mean anti androgens) to help my IPL along all the while buying the clothes and other requirements of transition on a minimum wage job

then after months of arguments with my GT and GP they said I could have them I found out that same week the SOC had changed to

"It is important for mental health professionals to recognize that decisions about hormones are first and foremost the client’s decisions – as are all decisions regarding healthcare"

Interesting huh and my Clinic seems to have done a complete 180 and are now willing to let me attempt a regimen of four different drugs rather than the usual two they've used on all their patients up till now

Maybe this suggests an end to the one size fits no-one method of treatment?

[Guest kariann330]

I can understand where WPATH is coming from and that they are trying to protect us and those who are not truly GID, but honestly all of this is negated when therapists are also thought other less known standards of care, such as one lesser known of one that leaves the time that you must be in therapy for before HRT and even SRS completely at there discussion, yes this does help some of us who's lives are at risk because of how depressed we have become, but at the same time it can completely remove that buffer zone and in turn result in a person going MTFTM as an example because its not what they wanted but still met the qualification for hrt under the looser standards at the original visits.

[Guest Gerilynn]

Thank you for this great discussion. I have learned a lot.

[Guest JamieJamie]

There were also plenty of folks who went through some therapy and got a letter only to regret it latter because they were not honest with their G.T. in the first place. I personally know a person who did this and it ended up tragic for them.

Not everyone that does research is a fake. I would be more inclined to think that someone who knew themselves well was genuine. I spent 40+ years fighting this, hiding in the dark yes and researching. According to your statement I'm likely to be a fake. Being sure of what you are shouldn't be a sign that you really don't the only people that would be genuine would be the ones that are not sure who they are.

That is so sad about the person you know. Unfortunately this does happen. People do not realize that there are some things in life, such as taking hormones, there *is* no Edit -> Undo.

I saw a rather unsettling piece on I think it was MSN TV when they had a short series entitled: "Born In The Wrong Body" - this particular segment was " - A Change Of Heart" and dealt with two MTFTM's - one who realized after 20 years of transitioning to female including GRS/SRS that they wanted to go back to being male because he realized he was gay (I am not sure how successful that would be finding a partner while still having a fully functional vagina?), the other went back at the bidding of some church.

One only has to be around the community long enough to have known someone who has done similar. In my experience they tend to be the folks who prior and throughout transiiton first and foremost talk about how without a doubt that they are trans, that they must transition, and that SRS is a must for them.. They often tend to reject idea of therapy, but not all, some do have plenty of therapy. They also tend to be well read on the subject and know everything because of how much they researched.

[Guest LoboValiente]

Oh my god I didnt know they changed it. This is so incredible.

[Guest becoming_natalie]

Thank you so much for the info! i am new to the forums here, and i am learning so much. xoxo

[Guest ChefErik93]

thank you for posting this! very good to know

[Guest Spiralflutterby]

Hmm.. interesting changes.. I still feel that the idea of a 'one size fits most' SoC to be somewhat.. incorrect... But I also understand the scientific mind's need to categorize and make things 'fit' lol... As others have said though, it seems that things like WPATH are becoming less and less relevant and that treatment is -finally- being tailored to the individual! That makes me REALLY happy. As does the fact that the various SoC are finally -starting- to catch up to this!