What T’s Up, Doc?
by Raven Usher
Do any of you know how profoundly weird it is to have a full breast examine followed by, “turn your head and cough?”
As funny as it sounds, the unique health concerns of transgendered people is no laughing matter. Health problems are often compounded because far too many trans people self medicate due to a lack of trans-friendly medical professionals in their areas. On top of that, many avoid medical check-ups out of fear of persecution or maltreatment.
Far too often, transition is treated like a covert military op. We keep our actions as secret as possible for as long as possible. We camouflage the results until we have advanced enough that there is no way for opposing forces stop the onslaught regardless of the resistance they mount. Then we occupy the city while the inhabitants are sleeping and off guard.
The problem is that when we are in stealth mode we tend to neglect our health. A certain level of secrecy during transition is a must. But it is a major mistake to stay secret from the people who can keep us from becoming victim to our own path in life; our doctors.
The stress of facing society’s prejudices can cause severe depression. 50% of all transsexuals die by their early 30’s and most commit suicide over gender issue driven depression. Transfolk are also more susceptible to all the other health problems related to depression.
The side effects of hormone therapy can be life threatening if not properly monitored. Extended hormone use can cause liver and kidney problems. Self medicating will let these problems go undetected until they pose serious health risks. The unsupervised use of Spirolonactone (an essential part of M to F hormone therapy) can lead to blood clots forming in the blood vessels of the legs. They cause extreme pain and if they break loose and travel to the heart, they cause fatal heart attacks.
Transfolk also have to be aware of two sets of gender specific health concerns in addition to the unique health concerns of trans people. No matter how tragic a case of bitch-tits a man has, he will never have to be subjected to the dreaded mammogram machine. Regardless of how bad the penis envy gets, no woman will have to “face” a prostate exam. Transfolk have to deal with it all. So we need to be aware of it all.
Not every transgender person makes a full gender transition. In this context, they are the lucky ones. They do not have to face a second puberty that wreaks havoc on the body, mind and emotions. They do not have to face years of drug regiments and surgical procedures. And their doctors can remain safely unaware.
The rest of us do not have that luxury. Blood pressure means more when you are taking strong medications. High cholesterol is more of a concern when your body is being forced to redistribute its fat deposits. And something as simple as proper diet and exercise is ultra important when you are developing a whole new body.
Too many transfolk spend too much time and energy thinking about other people when they should be thinking about themselves. We think about our family’s reactions, the consequences to our jobs and how society will treat us in daily life. We should be thinking about our body’s reaction, the consequences to our health and how we are treating ourselves from day to day.
Regardless of who you are, you should have an eye on your health. If you are transgendered it is even more important. TCC has a list of LGBT friendly doctors in the Boise area posted. If you need a regular doctor go down to TCC, look at the list and get one. If you have a regular doctor... when was the last time you saw him?
Blessed Be
by Raven Usher
Do any of you know how profoundly weird it is to have a full breast examine followed by, “turn your head and cough?”
As funny as it sounds, the unique health concerns of transgendered people is no laughing matter. Health problems are often compounded because far too many trans people self medicate due to a lack of trans-friendly medical professionals in their areas. On top of that, many avoid medical check-ups out of fear of persecution or maltreatment.
Far too often, transition is treated like a covert military op. We keep our actions as secret as possible for as long as possible. We camouflage the results until we have advanced enough that there is no way for opposing forces stop the onslaught regardless of the resistance they mount. Then we occupy the city while the inhabitants are sleeping and off guard.
The problem is that when we are in stealth mode we tend to neglect our health. A certain level of secrecy during transition is a must. But it is a major mistake to stay secret from the people who can keep us from becoming victim to our own path in life; our doctors.
The stress of facing society’s prejudices can cause severe depression. 50% of all transsexuals die by their early 30’s and most commit suicide over gender issue driven depression. Transfolk are also more susceptible to all the other health problems related to depression.
The side effects of hormone therapy can be life threatening if not properly monitored. Extended hormone use can cause liver and kidney problems. Self medicating will let these problems go undetected until they pose serious health risks. The unsupervised use of Spirolonactone (an essential part of M to F hormone therapy) can lead to blood clots forming in the blood vessels of the legs. They cause extreme pain and if they break loose and travel to the heart, they cause fatal heart attacks.
Transfolk also have to be aware of two sets of gender specific health concerns in addition to the unique health concerns of trans people. No matter how tragic a case of bitch-tits a man has, he will never have to be subjected to the dreaded mammogram machine. Regardless of how bad the penis envy gets, no woman will have to “face” a prostate exam. Transfolk have to deal with it all. So we need to be aware of it all.
Not every transgender person makes a full gender transition. In this context, they are the lucky ones. They do not have to face a second puberty that wreaks havoc on the body, mind and emotions. They do not have to face years of drug regiments and surgical procedures. And their doctors can remain safely unaware.
The rest of us do not have that luxury. Blood pressure means more when you are taking strong medications. High cholesterol is more of a concern when your body is being forced to redistribute its fat deposits. And something as simple as proper diet and exercise is ultra important when you are developing a whole new body.
Too many transfolk spend too much time and energy thinking about other people when they should be thinking about themselves. We think about our family’s reactions, the consequences to our jobs and how society will treat us in daily life. We should be thinking about our body’s reaction, the consequences to our health and how we are treating ourselves from day to day.
Regardless of who you are, you should have an eye on your health. If you are transgendered it is even more important. TCC has a list of LGBT friendly doctors in the Boise area posted. If you need a regular doctor go down to TCC, look at the list and get one. If you have a regular doctor... when was the last time you saw him?
Blessed Be
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