Transsexuality

Transsexuality is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon related to a person’s gender identity, their internal sense of belonging to a certain gender, which may not coincide with the biological sex assigned at birth. The term “transsexuality” is often used to describe people who identify as members of the opposite gender and may seek physical changes to their bodies through hormone therapy or surgical procedures to bring them into line with their gender identity. However, it is important to note that transsexuality is only one aspect of the broad spectrum of transgenderism.

Transgender Female (MTF): These are people who were assigned male at birth but feel female. Many may seek to alter their bodies through hormone therapy and/or surgery to look and feel female. However, not all transgender women choose to make such a change - for some, a social transformation involving a name change, the use of female pronouns, and a change in clothing is enough.

Female-to-male (FTM): These are people who were assigned female at birth but identify as male. They may use hormone therapy to achieve masculine features, such as facial hair growth, increased muscle mass, and a deepening voice. Additionally, some transgender men may choose surgical procedures such as mastectomy (breast removal) or phalloplasty (creation of a penis).

Non-binary transgender people: These are those whose gender identity does not fit into the traditional boundaries of male or female. Non-binary people may feel both male and female, neither, or transition in between. They may use different pronouns (such as "they/them") and prefer gender-neutral terms. It is important to note that not all non-binary people identify as transgender, although their experiences may overlap with transgenderism.

Genderqueer and genderfluid: These terms are used to describe people whose gender identity is fluid and changes over time. Genderqueer people may not adhere to strict gender roles, while genderfluid people may feel either male or female, or may not identify with any gender at all. Their gender identity may fluctuate depending on time, circumstances, or internal states.

Agender: These are people who do not feel they belong to any gender. They may consider themselves genderless or outside of gender categories. Agender people may prefer gender-neutral pronouns and terms, and their gender presentation may range from completely androgynous to more traditionally masculine or feminine.

Gender dysphoria: One of the key features of transsexuality is gender dysphoria - a state of discomfort or distress caused by a discrepancy between internal gender identity and biological sex. Dysphoria can be expressed both physically and emotionally, and it can significantly affect a person's quality of life. For many transsexual people, gender dysphoria becomes a motive for starting hormonal therapy or surgical procedures that help reduce this discomfort.

Hormonal therapy: For transsexual people who want to change their body, hormonal therapy is an important step. Depending on the direction of the transition (MTF or FTM), different hormones are used. For transgender women (MTF), these are usually estrogens and antiandrogens, which help develop female features such as breast enlargement, reduced body hair growth, and changes in the distribution of fat tissue. For transgender men (FTM), testosterone is used to promote the development of masculine traits, such as a deepening voice, increased facial and body hair, and increased muscle mass.

Surgical Procedures: For many transgender people, surgery is an important part of the transition process. The most common surgical procedures are mastectomy (breast removal) for transgender men and vaginoplasty (creation of a vagina) for transgender women. There are also other procedures, such as breast augmentation, phalloplasty, and metoidioplasty, that allow transgender people to achieve the changes they desire in their bodies.

Social Transition: This is the process of changing a person’s social status to match their gender identity. Social transition may involve changing their name, using new pronouns, and changing their appearance and clothing style. Social transition can be difficult, especially in societies where being transgender is stigmatized.