Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of transsexual individuals who presented to a psychiatry clinic for sex reassignment surgery

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of people with gender dysphoria, and to evaluate the differences between female-to-male (FtM) and male-to-female (MtF) transsexual individuals. Method: This study retrospectively examined the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 139 cases with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria that were referred to the Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty for sex reassignment surgery between 2007-2013. Results: Among 139 patients with gender dysphoria, 102 were MtF (73.4%), and 37 were FtM (26.6%). Rates of unemployment, employment in jobs which do not require high school education, being a sex worker (p < 0.001), drug use (p = 0.017), and not having health insurance (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in MtF individuals than in FtM individuals. Rates of receiving psychotherapy for gender dysphoria (p = 0.001) and starting hormone therapy under the supervision of a doctor (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in FtM individuals, however rates of taking hormone therapy (p < 0.001) and undergoing surgery for sex reassignment (p < 0.001) were higher in MtF individuals. Conclusion: There are significant differences both in sociodemographic characteristics and clinical characteristics between MtF and FtM individuals. However, further studies are needed to identify underlying causes.