Background Research for Sources
Source 1:
Gender Identity Research and Education Society
published 2011
appeared to have a lot of useful information available.
Definition of gender dysphoria- Gender variance is an atypical development in the relationship between the gender identity and the visible sex of an individual.
Identifying the difference between sex and gender; the genetics involved in determining the gender foetus; what happens when it goes wrong- various conditions.
Really interesting genetics on how gender dysphoria may arise.
‘Among the larger group embracing all these varieties, there is a small subgroup of individuals who experience gender variance. The personal experience of this state is sometimes known as gender dysphoria (dysphoria means ‘unhappiness’). The impact of genetic and/or hormonal factors on their fetal development appears to cause parts of the brain to develop in a way which is inconsistent with their genitalia, gonads and, usually, with their chromosomes. This may give rise to another, rather different, example of XY women, that is, individuals whose visible physical sex appears to be that of a man, but whose brain has some female characteristics and whose gender identification is, therefore, that of a woman. Or, conversely, gender variance may occur the other way round. An individual having XX chromosomes and the visible physical sex of a female, may have some male brain characteristics and therefore, identify as a man. So the issue of one’s gender identification, whether as a man or as a woman, or even neither (which occurs only rarely), is rooted in
the brain and is regarded by the individuals concerned, and is demonstrated by research, to be largely determined pre-birth and more or less stable thereafter. Thus the experience of extreme gender variance is increasingly understood in scientific and medical disciplines as having a biological origin.’
‘The current medical viewpoint, based on the most up-to-date scientific research, is that this condition, which in its extreme manifestation is known as transsexualism, is strongly associated with unusual neurodevelopment of the brain at the fetal stage. Small areas of the brain are known to be
distinctly different between males and females in the population generally. In those experiencing severe gender variance, some of these areas have been shown to develop in opposition to other sex characteristics and are, therefore, incongruent with the visible sex appearance.’
There is a mention of some treatments also:
‘Therefore, in carefully screened individuals, hormone blocking treatment may be given, before pubertal changes become apparent, so that these young people have more time to decide in which gender role they can achieve lasting personal comfort.’
‘This will often be assisted by treatment to achieve physical re-alignment of the sex characteristics, involving hormone therapy and corrective surgery’
Treatment is highly successful.
‘Gender variance, whilst it may be associated with a great deal of stress, is not caused by psychopathology or mental illness, rather, the stress may be understood to be a normal response to the internal biological conflict.’
The condition cannot be overcome by psychological or psychiatric treatments alone.
Source 2:
Interesting research- looking at the differences people with gender dysphoria have in their brain.
More evidence to suggestion the condition is not a psychological one.
As read in the article above, becoming clear a large amount of gender dysphoria is realised a very young age- 38% claim to know before the age of 5.
12:16 26 January 2011 by Jessica Hamzelou
Source 3:
Interesting programme concerning man suffering with gender dysphoria undergoing the treatment to become a female.
Produced 2009 by channel 4
Source 4:
produced 2010
Channel 4
Gender dysphoria in children who are exceptionally young
Source 5:
Upon watching source 4- ‘age 8 and wanting a sex change’
The name of a doctor administering treatment on young children for the condition- Dr. Norman Spack
Would extremely interesting to speak to him in regard to treatment of the condition.
http://children.photobooks.com/directory/profile.asp?dbase=main&setsize=5&last=spack&pict_id=9901780
Source 6:
NHS information
Really useful for understanding the treatments available
The exact cause of gender dysphoria is unknown. It is currently classed as a psychiatric condition (relating to the mind), but many recent studies have suggested that it is more to do with biological development (relating to the body). Research into what causes gender dysphoria is ongoing.
Mention of a gender identity clinic in London
Source 7:
having done some research seems fairly apparent, the cause is not certain and a big debate is whether the condition is psychological or biological.
Source 8:
http://www.marcibowers.com/index.html
Dr. Marci Bowers- also had sex change herself
Performed 700 primary MTF vaginoplasties and nearly 100 FTM reassignments. She performs more than 220 gender-related surgeries annually.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s08Y49I_tqc
one of the nation's best-known gender reassignment surgeons
q&a with her: http://www.inspire.com/groups/pregnancy-and-parenting/journal/marci-bowers-transgender-doc/
Source 9:
http://www.transhealth.co.uk/counselling_and_psychotherapy.php
doctors involved in the treatment
Source 10:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-third-gender
Source 8:
http://www.marcibowers.com/index.html
Dr. Marci Bowers- also had sex change herself
Performed 700 primary MTF vaginoplasties and nearly 100 FTM reassignments. She performs more than 220 gender-related surgeries annually.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s08Y49I_tqc
one of the nation's best-known gender reassignment surgeons
q&a with her: http://www.inspire.com/groups/pregnancy-and-parenting/journal/marci-bowers-transgender-doc/
Source 9:
http://www.transhealth.co.uk/counselling_and_psychotherapy.php
doctors involved in the treatment
Source 10:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-third-gender
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