Socio-demographic characteristics of transsexuals referred to the forensic medicine center in southwest of Iran

Abstract

Background:Transsexualism or gender identity disorder affects person's gender identity.Aim:This study was to describe socio-demographic characteristics in a population of transsexuals.Materials and Methods:We studied 44 persons of both sexes with diagnostic criteria of gender identity disorder who were referred to the Legal Medicine Organization of Fars, southwest of Iran during the time period 2005-2010. The general practitioners examined the following socio-demographic characteristics and then recorded them in a semi-structured questionnaire, which was developed by the Forensic Medicine Center in Shiraz: Sex, age, educational level, place of residence, marital status, duration of treatment, and employment status.Results:A total of 44 persons (18 (40.9%) males versus 26 (59.1%) females) were referred for sex change during the study period. The sex ratio was 0.69:1. The mean age was 27.6 ± 2.9 years. The majority of patients were diploma and higher diploma education (77.3%), lived in urban areas (81.8%), were employed (56.9%), were single (93.1%), and were under six months of hormonal treatment (61.4%).Conclusions:It seems that social acceptance is lower for male to female transsexuals, since these patients have lower employment and literacy statuses. Further studies should be designed to evaluate and deeper analyze more socio-demographic, clinical, and psychiatric variables about transsexual patients.

Psychosocial Adjustment to Sex Reassignment Surgery: A Qualitative Examination and Personal Experiences of Six Transsexual Persons in Croatia

“…Indeed, in communities with more traditional values, the challenges faced by TS individuals differ from those faced by TS persons in urban western societies with a prescribed standard of care [ 12 , 13 ]. In such societies, those who do not express their sexuality or gender in traditionally accepted ways may feel unwelcome [ 14 ]. In such environments, TS persons are met not only with incredulity, a lack of understanding, and stigmatization from their social environment, but also with the ignorance of the very experts from whom they are seeking support [ 15 ].…”

Socio-demographic portrait of transsexual patients in Russia

“…Допустимо предположить, что в условиях патриархального уклада российского общества мужская гендерная роль дает несколько больше социальных привилегий, и это является дополнительным фактором, стимулирующим осознание потребности в смене пола, особенно для лиц, имеющих «субпороговую» выраженность гендерной дисфории, не проявляющую себя в более комфортных условиях социального окружения. В пользу этой гипотезы свидетельствует тот факт, что в странах, где социальные свободы женщин еще сильней ограничены и полностью зависят от мужчин (исламские страны), мы видим значительный перевес лиц FtM над MtF [19].…”

“…По всему миру это привело к росту обращаемости транссексуальных людей к врачам-психиатрам для установки диагноза и получения разрешения на смену документов согласно избранному полу. Такая картина наблюдается и в развитых западных странах: Англии, США, Бельгии [16][17][18], и в государствах с более низким уровнем жизни, таких как Иран, Бразилия и Мексика [19][20][21]. Какие-либо статистические данные о транссексуалах и трансгендерах в Российской Федерации на сегодняшний день отсутствуют.…”

Endocrine approach in gender dysphoria: the experience in a reference centre

“…This can be considered as an interesting issue however, there are already a few reports describing that the ratio transgender females to transgender males has been dropping. 22 Still, it is obvious that straight comparisons between studies are erroneous, considering the differences on data collection methods, as well as in the criteria for documenting GD.…”