More seek info on gender reassignment surgery: study

In 2012, it was first revealed surgical mesh that had been the subject of lawsuits overseas was...
The authors wrote there was also "an increasing awareness" that a change of gender appearance was a practical option with hormone therapy. Photo: Getty Images

More people are seeking advice on gender reassignment surgery, a new Wellington study indicates, and better societal awareness could be behind the rise.

After overseas clinics observed a marked increase in the number of transgender people requesting therapy in recent years, a team of researchers sought to see if there had been a similar trend here.

They reviewed data from the Wellington Endocrine Service and found 438 people identifying as transgender referred to the clinic between 1990 and 2016. The numbers steadily rose over that time.

While annual numbers of referrals ranged only between one and seven each year during the 1990s, that climbed to between 10 and 15 last decade, between 22 and 31 from 2010 to 2013 and then to 30, 65 and 92 in subsequent years.

Published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the study showed further increases in referrals for people under the age of 30, as well as a growing proportion of people requesting female-to-male therapy - to the point it was nearing the number requesting male-to-female therapy.

"It represents a rapid change in the population's understanding of the range of gender identity in individuals and the practicality of therapy," study author Dr John Delahunt, of University of Otago Department of Medicine, said of the findings.

"However, we could only note the rate of change of referrals not the reasons for this."

Still, Delahunt and his co-authors noted it seemed "likely to be related to the increasing societal awareness and acceptance of gender diversity".

Many people had also found out more information through the internet, or had linked with other transgender people in online groups.

The authors wrote there was also "an increasing awareness" that a change of gender appearance was a practical option with hormone therapy.

In the past, endocrinologists in Wellington had been prepared to accept referrals for the consideration of hormone therapy in adults without prior assessment from a mental health professional, largely because resourcing limited access to such checks within the public health system.

The authors noted that referral pathway had since been adjusted, and now included a comprehensive psychosocial assessment conducted within the unit, before hormone therapy was initiated.

Another factor could have been support available in the region: special practices that offered counselling, support and group discussion for teenagers had only been in place since 2004.

Delahunt said the "Youth 12" survey conducted in Auckland in 2012 indicated 1.2% of teens identified as transgender.

"We do not expect 1.2% of teenagers would seek advice on transgender management, but this number does represent a potentially large pool of individuals who may want to work through gender-related issues."

He said the study was mainly aimed at clinicians and health administrators to "highlight an area of increasing need" - and one that would require medical professionals to work together.

 

'I was going in the right direction'

For one Wellingtonian, who asked only to be named as Ash, gender reassignment surgery was a journey that began with worry and doubt.

But, the closer 32-year-old moved toward the decision, the better it felt.

"I started transitioning from around 25 and decided to go through surgery at 31," Ash said.

"Each step of my transition affirmed that I was going in the right direction.

"I decided to follow through with surgery when it got to the point where the uncomfortableness I was experiencing in intimate situations was interfering with my relationships."

Years of research, counselling and therapy, and all the science also pointed to a ''yes'' decision.

"Through the internet, I could connect with people across the world who felt the same way, and I realised it is actually not uncommon - I believe 1% of any population are in some way gender diverse."

Moving from provincial New Zealand to Wellington - "a beautiful and welcoming and accepting place" - also played a big part.

"In Wellington, I found some amazing communities of supportive people and that's why I stayed here.

"I also found someone who had seen my surgeon and she was very happy to share her experience and advice with me, and that was an amazing gift."

Ash opted to undergo in the surgery in Thailand, and saved for years to afford the $25,000 cost.

"I knew that if I was going to have to wait for the New Zealand health system that I would have to jump through dozens of hoops, maybe see someone in 5 to 10 years at best, and get a low-quality result.

"I believe New Zealand should be funding trans people to see surgeons overseas."

While the world wasn't perfect in other ways - it remained hard to be non-binary, even today, and Ash described the current US administration as "appalling and terrifying" - attitudes and acceptance had "improved dramatically" in the past decade.

"Not just from LGBTIQ+ people, but also straight, cisgender people, who believe us and support us - some of them are my best friends."

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