Transgender people still get a negative stigma in society. In fact, transgender is not a mental disorder as most people think. However, there are health risks that a transgender person must face.
Gender refers to human reflection on themselves and is formed from social roles, activities, behavior, and the environment. Transgender people are people who feel that their gender identity does not match their gender at birth.
For example, a transgender woman is a person who was born male, but the person feels that he or she is a woman. Vice versa.
Transgender at a glance
As explained earlier that transgender is not classified as a mental disorder. However, a transgender person is at high risk for mental disorders due to conflict within himself and social pressure.
This is because transgender people often hide their identity from the social environment for years because they are afraid that they will not be accepted by society and no one will understand their condition.
Over time, this often makes a transgender person feel depressed, depressed, unable to carry out daily activities, and even interact with other people.
If that happens, transgender people can consult a psychiatrist or psychologist to improve their mental health and evaluate their condition further. In some cases, gender transition is one solution.
Procedure for Undergoing Gender Transition
Some transgender individuals undergo physical changes in ways that they feel fit their identity. Commonly performed gender transition procedures include:
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy in transgender men or trans men serves to stimulate the growth of mustaches and other masculine physical characteristics, such as skin color, hair, voice, and fat distribution.
Meanwhile, transgender women or trans women perform hormone replacement therapy which aims to shape the breasts, reduce muscle shape, increase fat in the hips, and change the voice.
Operation
Transgenders who undergo surgery generally want a permanent physical change according to their identity. Trans women who undergo surgery aims to change the voice, face, skin, hips, breasts, buttocks, to the removal of the penis and testicles.
Meanwhile, surgery for trans men aims to change the appearance of the chest and genital organs and remove the uterus (hysterectomy), fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
A transgender person usually also makes changes in the way he dresses or behaves and changes his name. However, a person can also identify as transgender without making these changes.
The Risks of Undergoing a Gender Transition Procedure
Transgenders who undergo hormone therapy procedures, silicone injections, or surgery are at risk of experiencing several health problems. The following are health problems that need to be watched out for after making a gender transition:
- Infertility
- Bone loss
- High blood pressure
- Changes in body metabolism
- Excessive weight gain
- Blood clot or embolism
Undergoing gender reassignment surgery or other body forms is a big decision and requires careful consideration. In addition, there are various health and social risks after undergoing surgery.
Recognizing the Consequences of Transgender Related Diseases
Transgenders are also at risk of experiencing reproductive health problems and sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Therefore, it is important for sexually active transgender people to always use a condom when having sex.
In addition, there are also factors that put transgender people at risk for health problems, including:
- Stereotypes and discrimination related to transgender, so they are not comfortable to check their health.
- Limited access to special health services for transgender people.
- Neither mental nor physical health care centers are adequate to treat transgender people.
Early detection is very necessary to find out diseases that can be experienced by transgender people. It is important for every transgender person to have regular checkups by checking the health of the uterus, cervix, breasts, or prostate gland.
Transgender is part of gender diversity and is still a topic of discussion in society. However, the most important thing we can do is respect everyone's gender identity. An understanding of gender also needs to be given to children and adolescents according to their age.
If you are having trouble expressing or accepting your gender identity, don't hesitate to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. That way, you can get safe advice or therapy.