Access to trans affirmative healthcare if critical to the wellbeing of our community. There is estimated to be more than two million transgender people throughout the U.S. They come from all walks of life, representing all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as all faith traditions. As trans people become more visible, an increase in understanding regarding their community has become more vital. This article aims to offer definitions, along with general education about hormone therapy and trans surgery. Resources will be listed at the end of the article for those who wish to utilize them.
Please note: This article does not hold a certain political affiliation or belief system. The intended goal here is to provide a safe place for students to seek out resources or proper information regarding transgender health services.
Definition of Transgender: The term “transgender” is an umbrella term that describes someone whose gender identity is different than their sex assigned at birth.
Feminizing Hormone Therapy
What is it?
Feminizing hormone therapy is used to induce physical changes in your body caused by female hormones during puberty (secondary sex characteristics) to promote the matching of your gender identity and your body (gender congruence).
If feminizing hormone therapy is started before the changes of male puberty begin, male secondary sex characteristics, such as increased body hair and changes in voice pitch, can be avoided. Feminizing hormone therapy is also known as gender-affirming hormone therapy.
How does it work?
During feminizing hormone therapy, you’ll be given medication to block the action of the hormone testosterone. In addition, you’ll be given the hormone, estrogen to decrease testosterone production and induce feminine secondary sex characteristics. The changes that result from these medications can be temporary or permanent. Feminizing hormone therapy could also be done alone or paired with feminizing surgery.
If used in an adolescent, hormone therapy typically begins at age 16. Ideally, treatment starts before the development of secondary sex characteristics so that teens can go through puberty as their identified gender. Gender affirming hormone therapy is not typically used in children.
*It is also recommended to speak with your doctor to rule out any health conditions that might interfere*
Why is it done?
Typically, people who seek feminizing hormone therapy experience discomfort or distress because their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics (gender dysphoria). Feminizing hormone therapy can make gender dysphoria less severe, reduce psychological and emotional distress, improve psychological and social functioning, improve sexual satisfaction and improve quality of life.
Masculinizing Hormone Therapy
What is it?
Masculinizing hormone therapy is used to induce the physical changes in your body caused by male hormones during puberty (secondary sex characteristics) to promote the matching of your gender identity and body (gender congruence).
If masculinizing hormone therapy is started before the changes of female puberty begins, female secondary sex characteristics, such as the development of breasts, can be avoided. Masculinizing hormone therapy is also known as gender-affirming hormone therapy.
How does it work?
During masculinizing hormone therapy, you’ll be given the testosterone hormone, which suppresses your menstrual cycles and decreases the production of estrogen from your ovaries. The changes that result from the use of this medication can be temporary or permanent. Masculinizing hormone therapy can be done alone or paired masculinizing surgery.
If used in an adolescent, hormone therapy typically begins at age 16. Ideally, treatment starts before the development of secondary sex characteristics so that teens can go through puberty as their identified gender. Gender affirming hormone therapy is not typically used in children.
*It is also recommended to speak with your doctor to rule out any health conditions that might interfere*
Why is it done?
Typically, people who seek masculinizing hormone therapy experience discomfort or distress because their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics (gender dysphoria). Masculinizing hormone therapy can make gender dysphoria less severe, reduce psychological and emotional distress, improve psychological and social functioning, improve sexual satisfaction and improve quality of life.
Gender Affirmation (Confirmation) or Sex Reassignment Surgery
What is it?
Sex reassignment surgery refers to procedures that help people transition to their self-identified gender. Today, many people prefer to use the terms gender affirmation or confirmation surgery.
What are the types of transgender surgery?
Common transgender surgery options include facial reconstructive surgery (to make facial features more masculine or feminine), chest or “top” surgery (to remove breast tissue for a more masculine appearance or enhance breast size and shape for a more feminine appearance) and genital or “bottom” surgery (to transform and reconstruct the genitalia).
Why is it done?
People may have surgery so that their physical body matches their gender identity. People who choose gender affirmation surgery do so because they experience gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is the distress that occurs when your sex assigned at birth does not match your gender identity.
Other Options
Outside of hormone therapy and surgery, puberty blockers (to prevent you from going through puberty) or voice therapy (to adjust your voice or tone) are also additional treatments. It all depends on your age and preferences. People may also socially transition to their true gender by adopting a new name, changing their pronouns, and presenting as their gender identity.
Resources
Semcac
420 E Sarnia St #1600 | Winona, MN 55987
Offers transgender hormone therapy.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Endocrinology Department | 200 1st St SW | Rochester, MN 55902
Offers gender-affirming care under a multidisciplinary team that provides psychosocial, medical and surgical expertise.
Planned Parenthood of La Crosse, WI
1201 Caledonia St. | La Crosse, WI 54603
Offers transgender hormone therapy.
Everyone deserves to feel at home in their own bodies. The services described above are considered lifesaving to many people experiencing gender dysphoria and improve their quality of life.
We encourage individuals to look through the resources provided above for more information.
If you would like to speak with someone on campus, Winona State University offers Counseling Services in the IWC. In addition to that, Health & Wellness Services offers medical advice through in person appointments or by utilizing their Ask-A-Nurse hotline.
– Makayla Lende ’23
