What To Expect During Your Gynecologic Visits: Part One No matter at what age genital reassignment surgery (GRS) is performed staying fit and healthy is mandatory. You may have to take care of yourself now so don't neglect number one and that means visiting the gynecologist. Dr. Sheila Kirk takes you through the exam in a clear honest manner. Must reading for the TS or those thinking about it.
What To Expect In SRS: Neo-Vaginal Length Sheila Kirk is doing a series on medical issues for new women and focusses this week on the delicate but crucial issue of neo-vaginal length. Not all surgical candidates have the same potential for vaginal length in surgery. Further whether or not this length will be constant over time is a real question. Informative and detailed.
Facial Feminization of the Transperson Part 1 The first of three parts on facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Sheila Kirk explains that the face and hair are vital to a feminine look. Indeed in the process of feminization it can be more important for MTFs to give attention to these very revealing areas before they move on towards GRS. Find out how to do it all the right way.
Facial Feminization of the Transperson Part 2 Dr. Shelia Kirk continues her three part discussion about the options involved in facial plastic surgery. Ifyou've ever considered having work done on your eye lids nose or lips then read what the premiere Trans-surgeon has to say before you jump under the knife.
Hairy Subjects Dr. Sheila Kirk discusses hair how to get it and how to kill it for FTM's and MTFs. Various techniques for adding hair to the scalp medications for baldness electrology and laser hair removal are all highlighted.
Hazards of Ignorance Beauty can kill. So can self-prescribing hormones. In her "Informed Choices Towards Better Health Care Management" Sheila Kirk layouts out the unvarnished truth unlike some "advisers" who continue to misinform the community especially through the net. Et
Hormones & the Prostate Dr. Sheila Kirk explains the effects of hormones on chances for getting prostate cancer. This cancer is an issue that most men will have to deal with if they are sexually active.
Hormones Complications Thinking about taking hormones? Dr. Sheila Kirk lays out some of the basic problems that can occur when you take these powerful medications. Rock solid information.
Hormones For People Who Do NOT Want SRS Dr. Sheila Kirk comes out in favor of hormones albeit in low doses for people who are not going to have sex reassignment surgery. This is an important statement given Kirk's position on important boards that help make determinations about who does or does
One Step SRS At least 40 percent of all TS SRS patients never bother with the second stage of the procedure: comestic and reconstructive surgery. Cost fear and other factors may play a role but now it is possible for those seeking surgery to get the full monte in one step. By Drs. Sheila Kirk and Ernest Manders.
Orgasm & Hormones Dr. Sheila Kirk continues her discussion from last month's column and describes the likely effects of estrogen and testosterone when used to masculinize or feminize a person. Must reading if you are even considering these drugs.
Orgasm-Why It Happens Why It Doesn't Dr. Sheila Kirk explains the details of what causes an orgasm to happen and why things can be much more complicated in post-operative people. An very important article for those who are considering sexual reassignment.
Procepia: Miracle Hair Grower? Dr. Sheila Kirk explains the latest product promoting a baldness cure. It may have great application for both balding men and for FTMs.
Professional Guidelines for the TS: Are they necessary? Should there be criteria in the hormonal and surgical care of Transgendered individuals? Dr. Sheila Kirk looks at the whole question of medical and surgical management for folks who think surgery is the step for them.
Questions about Hormones & SRS Dr. Shiela Kirk answers your questions about the risks of estrogen and sex change surgeries. Right on info about two very important health issues.
Rib Removal Yes it is possible and yes it is done explains Dr. Sheila Kirk. The anatomy and surgerical techniques of this procedure are detailled by Dr. Kirk who outlines both the pros and cons of doing this type of feminizing procedure.
Rib Removal: Way to A Shapelier Figure Dr. Ernest Manders a plastic & reconstructive micro-surgeon has developed a developed a much more effective and cosmetic procedure for rib removal. Dr. Shiela Kirk describes the procedure and addresses the many questions that have been raised about this body contouring surgery.
Sex Lives of Post-Op Transsexuals Dr. Sheila Kirk reveals the results of an in-depth survey that included detailled questions about the sexual habits of a relatively large group of transsexuals. The findings are intriguing and not quite what some may expect.
Stress Factors Even if you dress in private you need to take joy in who you are. To do otherwise invites stress that can cause all kinds of serious health problems. Dr. Sheila Kirk discusses the impact of stress on TG people.
Transgender Medicine: Future Is Ours For too long transgender doctors who have been forced or asked to leave their hospitals their residencies or their medical partnerships when they come out or when they transition. But things may finally be changing...By Dr. Sheila Kirk.
What We Don't Know Could Kill Us Are MTFs at high risk of breast cancer? Are FTMs risking heart attack when they take male hormones? As Dr. Sheila Kirk explains we don't really know. The always intriguing doctor raises some large questions this month...
Electrolysis
Electrolysis: After Care Electrologist Rita Reckas gives you some valuable tips on caring for your skin after a treatment.
Electrolysis: Skin Care Rita Reckas returns with solid advice on how to improve the way your skin looks even if you aren't in electrolysis now.
Electrolysis: The Blend Master electrologist Rita Reckas discusses how this most popular technique works.
Electrolysis: What You Should Expect of Your Operator Rita Reckas continues her straightforward explanation of what you should find when you call on your electrologist for the first time. Common sense information that can make the difference between a good experience and a disaster. Rita answers your questio
Epilaser: Laser Hair Removal -A Personal Perspective Sheri Gwen takes us through her experience with a new form of laser hair removal and holds nothing back about the process and it's short-term side-effects. Still highly controversial TGF readers may find her experience with this very new technology of som
EpiLight: A Real Alternative to Electrolysis? Sheri Gwen tries out the hottest new alternative to electrolysis. It doesn't use lasers but it is expensive. But does it really clear facial hair in a few treatments? We're going to find out.
Laser Critique A personal analysis of the new laser hair removal system. By Valerie June-mate
Laser Electrolysis: A Treatment Our Kelly Ann reports in detail her first treat with a laser to remove her facial hair. It isn't quite what you may have thought nor what she expected. Must read if you are considering this very new technology.
Laser Hair Removal: Reality Sets In Sheri Gwen reports on the longer term results of her laser treatment...and the verdict is not what she had hoped for. Third in an important series on one of the new techniques.
Thermolase- True Life Laser "Electrolysis" The story many of you have been anxiously waiting for since early 1995. Marilyn Wardlow tells of her first laser treatment for hair removal. An important new occasional series.
Thermolase: True Life Laser "Electrolysis" The story many of you have been anxiously waiting for since early 1995. Marilyn Wardlow tells of her first laser treatment for hair removal. An important new occasional series.
Medicine/Psychology/Science
Adams Apple Shaving: Hidden Dangers Many MTF transgenders fret about the size of their Adams Apple and think about having it "shaved". But as Emily Collins discovered there are significant risks to this procedure that everyone should know about.
Brain Study Is it all in our heads? A new study using MRI scans is trying to determine whether transgender brains are different. Volunteers sought.
Counseling in Genderland Book review by Lee Etscovitz about a work that goes far beyond a primer for the therapists at whom it was aimed.
Dealing With Transition A fine primer on handling the stress of transition to the opposite gender. By Dallas Denny
Different Perspective on the GID Controversy If you've been reading these pages you know about the push activists are making to remove Gender Identity Disorder (GID) from psychiatrists' manuals. Stacey Clement as a differing view.
Estrogen and the Heart Dr. Rebecca Anne Allison examines studies on the effect of female hormones on the heart and examines whether or not they are beneficial to male to female transsexuals cardio-vascular systems.
Estrogen Protects Arteries A major new study of MTF transexuals has turned up important news about a side effect of estrogen. Better circulation could result from high dosage use.
Estrogen: The Transforming Drug Kelly Ann Stiles presents an overview of hormone therapy. This is a good starting point if you are considering female hormone therapy.
Eye Lid Surgery part 2 can take a lot out of a girl. Jami Ward tells you all the hardships that facial surgery entails in this detailed Part 2. Did you know they put screws in your head staples in your face? And then there's that pesky chemical peel. Learn the trials... and the benefits of having your face "done."
Eye Lid Surgery Jami Ward had heard once too often that she "looked a little" tired because of her eyelids so she decided to do something about it. An excellent series that walks you through the research and physician selection that is crucial to a sucessful result. A w
Forced or Farce? Stacey Clement looks at the psychological reasons that could be behind the long fascination some have had with forced cross-dressing. A crisply written column on a barely whispered subject.
Gay Gene Discovered But will the discovery lead to understanding or more trouble for gays?
Gender Expressions Gender Expressions this month may challenge your ideas about all this transgender stuff. Dr. Carl W. Bushong of The Tampa Gender Identity Program has some interesting information concerning "transistioning" and how that word really applies to all members of the transgender community not only transsexuals. Find out about that and how to find a therapist who can help you learn what "transistioning" means to you.
Genital Electrolysis That's right and if you plan on doing SRS you may find that this is in the offing for you too. Sallyeanne Ofner describes how she got over her own anxieties to get this done.
GID and the Debate on SRS and Hormones Both sides talk past one another on the GID debate and so poison the discussion that we will never find the common ground that will help future generations of our brothers and sisters. Why must this be an "either or" discussion? Sarah Carrier's well written article goes into some ideas for changes in the Standards of Care and how transsexuals are seen by the psychiatric community that many will find interesting.
Hormones Complications Thinking about taking hormones? Dr. Sheila Kirk lays out some of the basic problems that can occur when you take these powerful medications. Rock solid information.
Informed Choice Sometimes the people that can help us must end up hurting us the most. Medical professionals may focus too much on their speciality and not see the big picture -- the complete health of a transgendered individual. By Carl Bushong.
Multi-Dimensionality of Gender Using a clever system that incorporates five different attributes Carl Bushong presents a theory that can explain how a very feminine woman can be a dominant person while a very femme man can be totally straight. One of the more lucid explanations from the many manifestations of gender identity.
Myth Stereotype and Cross-Gender Identity You can be classified as mentally ill if you cross-dress or exhibit even greater transgender behavior despite clear evidence that few TG people are maladjusted. But a book widely used by the psychiatric profession sees it differently. Katherine K. Wilson
Origins of Cross-dressing Looking at the psychological underpinnings of transgender behavior...you may see some of yourself in here. By Stacy Clement.
Origins: Part 2 Stacey Clement poses the thought that the origins of cross-dressing could be in our past our very very distant past.
Paradox of Gender: A Review Talking about sex differences is America's second favorite indoor sport. Women wonder why their husbands don't talk about their feelings. Men wonder why women talk so much about feelings and don't just get on with it. A review of the new book "The Two Sexes: Growing up Apart Coming Together"
Passing: Why Do Some Accept? Certain people notice you others ignore you some judge you as female others as male. Why is this so why so much variance? Appearance is only part of passing the judgments and observations of others also make a difference. Cognitive psychologist Linda O'Tool explores cognitive models of recognition to understand why people are so variable in judging gender presentation.
Photoderm: Can It Replace Electrolysis? Rachael our correspondent from Hong Kong describes a visit to a dermatologist in Utah to try out another alternative to traditional electrolysis. Before you rush out and try one of these new techniques you may find it worthwhile to read about her results.
Psyche Diaries In a very unusual and interesting article Australian beauty Siobhan Ellis shares diary entries of her sessions with her therapist. Real life is always more tantalizing than fiction...
Reforming the DSM: Questions and Answers In a recent paper to a professional and lay organization Katherine Wilson outlines clearly the problems with the current definitions and diagnosis involving transgender people that are in the manual used by psychiatrists. Unlike the DSM Wilson's analysis
Report On 2nd Int'l Conference on Sex and Gender Issues Joan Rowe reports on a conference that was about new research related to transgender people. Catch up on what the latest findings about the community are particularly how TSs and women share an important internal trait.
Sex Change School will open in Belgrade Serbia next year as a center for sharing information worldwide about new techniques for treating TS patients.
Sexual Limbo Where do transgender people fit in the sexual spectrum? By Chrissy
SRS #1 First in series on Sexual Reassignment Surgery. By Danni Hawkins
SRS #2 Procedures used in Sexual Reassignment Surgery. By Danni Hawkins
SRS #3 Part 3. Surgical techniques are further explored. By Danni Hawkins
Standards of Care The complete Harry Benjamin Association "Standards" are the book that most caregivers and transsexuals follow to sex reassignment surgery. Part of a new TS Reference Library being developed by a team of TGForum researchers led by Roslyn Manley.
TG Docs Publish in JAMA A group of TG doctors calls for TG inclusion in an AMA study on Gay and Lesbian health care needs and gets favorable reaction.
TGs On the Internet: Impact On Perceptions As the explosion of Internet use continues we will see an increasing number of individuals beginning to explore their gender identity online. The 'Net provides a safe and anonymous way of exploring issues that we are not yet prepared to face in a clinical setting. This may well change the dynamic between clients and therapists. A well-thought out well-written article by Sarah Carrier
The Authentic Person For some of us a battle rages between the "social" person and the "authentic" person. How do we resolve these two sometime conflicting realities? Some practical ideas from Stacy Clement
The Male/Female "Switch" Scientists think they've found the "switch that changes girls to boys. Associated Press.
Transexual Brains: Are they different? Article from professional journal reviews some of the startling recent findings about the brains of MTF transexuals. And it may not be quite what you expect.
Vocal Chord Surgery Seeing no alternative Kelly Ann has had vocal chord surgery to change her voice from male to female. Fascinating story by a very brave girl.
Voice Surgery Kelly & Marilyn discuss the outcome of their vocal chord surgery in this second part of an important story for TSs who may need to surgically change the way they are heard by others.
Why Am I Me? An extraordinarily clear concise explanation for transgenderism by a professional anthropologist who has plainly considered this question carefully. A must read article for all transgenders this is also a terrific work for those who feel they'd like friends and family to understand better. By Marla Sanni