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How can I know if I won't regret sex change treatments?

17 Answers
Last Updated: 03/14/2022 at 4:11am
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Top Rated Answers
Cadence
March 9th, 2015 7:08am
There is no way to know for sure if you will regret them. Before undergoing treatment, let the idea settle in your mind for as long as you can wait. Don't start hormones or endure surgery on a whim; make sure this is something you actually want. More times than not if it's super thought out, and you're 100 percent confident that this is what you'd like to go through with, you likely won't regret it. Start off slow, start dressing like your preferred sex, and see if you feel right doing that. If you do, try for HRT. If all of that feels natural, go for the surgery. Not doing it all at once can help limit feelings of regret, too, as it'd be more of a stepping stone process rather than a change overnight.
MrAleczander
November 2nd, 2015 5:08pm
Well, first and foremost, no one can know for certain beforehand (even when having taken great lengths to prepare) how they'll react after any kind of profound change in our lives. Secondly when it comes to SRS, it depends on what kind of procedures you're considering. Taking hormones is the least invasive and though a couple things cannot be changed back (ex. sterility, hair growth), it is more or less reversible. When it comes to breast reduction or construction, and all of the various genital reconstructive surgeries, you might regret the cost, for one. When it comes to the chest, a mastectomy can start at $6,000 (many don't take insurance, too). But with the lower region the procedural costs can range from $24-50,000+. Finances aside, though I struggled to find a fitting study to link, most websites I've gone to in the past regarding "regret after surgeries" were pretty optimistic. Almost every single source expressed that people were by 80% happier to have gone on hormones. Statistically, though hormones are attractive for trans people, there is less inclination to go through surgical measures. They are, on average, happy (enough), as is. For me, I'll never be truly happy because I'm FTM and our bottom surgery is not as advanced as the perfected option for MTF. But there are still hormones. Just be careful with hormone levels, never buy from an unlicensed source, and check in with your endocrinologist regularly.
Aayla
- Expert in LGBTQ+ Issues
June 10th, 2019 1:15am
The first step of transitioning is a period of psychotherapy sessions, aimed at helping you understand yourself better. If what you feel is not actually due to the fact that you're trans, those sessions will help you understand who you truly are and why you feel the way you feel. But if the therapist says you're ready to move to the next step of transition, it means that you truly are transgender and ready to turn your body into what you identify with! You can feel safe, you'll be in good hands at all times, and you will have the chance to validate your feelings through therapy and boost your confidence in who you are!
Anonymous
June 17th, 2015 5:13pm
Usually, you'll have to go through a lot of therapy and such first, and wait a long time, to make sure it's what you really want. Because of this, statistically, hardly an people who go through sex changes regret it.
UntilThen
January 9th, 2017 12:25am
I think the best way to know is to see a therapist. There are people who specialize in making sure that reassignment surgery is right for you. Aside from that, I think the best thing you can do is to talk about what you want with people as much as you can. The better you know yourself the better you'll be able to decide what's right for you.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2016 10:04pm
Well, I guess you really just need to make sure this is what you want. It's for sure a big decision! Just consider if you're ultimately gonna be happier going through with it, if you're going to be more comfortable with your body with the treatment. If so, then you probably know the answer. Good luck!
Anonymous
March 14th, 2022 4:11am
It's often hard to tell before starting medical transition, because in my experience and that of other trans people I've known one of the clearest indicators that you're not on the wrong path is the effect of hormones on your mental state. This is often, but not always, noticeable within days or weeks. It's not always clear where your head will be before treatment, but if you're questioning it's often helpful to look at pros and cons, and potential other causes of the distress you're feeling. For example, while trauma does not exclude the possibility of gender dysphoria and they are in fact often comorbid conditions, it is possible and has happened that people confuse gendered trauma with gender dysphoria. This confusion can also come from things like isolation and feeling unliked, homosexuality, certain kinds of obsessive-compulsive disorders, dislike of gendered expectations placed on you, and so on. While many of these are very common experiences for trans people, if they sound like you and you are unsure of your identity, they are worth reflecting on.
Anonymous
November 27th, 2017 10:25pm
You can always go through gender therapy or through a regular therapist to reassure that you won't or discover that you will.
PhoenixB
October 24th, 2017 9:40pm
The best you can do is not make any serious commitments if you're not so sure about the decision. If it feels right and you're confident about the procedure, then you probably won't regret it later on.
tranzferdinand
June 20th, 2017 9:06am
It's best to take as much time as possible before medical transitioning. While I'll say I'm so happy with my transition, there are people that realize it wasn't for them. Not all people with dysphoria think that transitioning was helpful for them or they felt rushed and pressured into it. That may not be your case, but it's best to look into yourself critically and think about what your dysphoria is, what causes it, how transition would help it, and if you want that for your life. Trans people do not have to medically transition to still be transgender! Surgery and hormones can be expensive or just not wanted, so don't feel pressured!
MeiStorm
October 4th, 2016 10:21pm
Well, ask yourself if you truly feel like you're transgender. Realize that you can't turn back. But, the treatment could possibly make you truly happy.
Anonymous
October 4th, 2016 1:35pm
Perhaps you don't know. Life is always risk-taking. It's most important to go by what you feel right now is valid.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2016 2:23pm
There is no way to know, if you have any doubts at all in the treatment, I suggest you wait for a while before going through with it
Anonymous
April 12th, 2016 2:55pm
I would recommend you se a gender therapist first to make sure that's really what you want. Talk to doctors as well to understand everything that will happen before and after and then determine whether or not you want a sex change.
Yourfairygodbro
February 15th, 2016 5:01pm
You could try to analyze yourself as much as possible before getting anything done. Like, ask yourself questions about gender so you can narrow down whatever you're confused about. For example, you could ask what parts of your body you are uncomfortable with and would want to change and how you would change it. You could ask yourself how your opinions of your gender have changed over time. You could ask yourself what parts of the male gender you relate to versus what parts of the female gender you relate to. You could ask yourself how you would want to be seen, what style you'd try to show. Once you know deeply enough what you want, then you could go to a doctor you trust who would make you feel as safe as possible with the treatment.
Anonymous
June 16th, 2015 11:18pm
That is something that you will have to finger out for your self. But understand Listener are here to help you and support you in and throw it every step of the way.
kindheartedSky78
April 2nd, 2015 8:55pm
I feel that if you are having to ask this question then you have doubts about going for a complete sex change. I am guessing that you will know the answer to that question when you no longer have to ask the question. What do you think?