Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) is a general term for a variety of surgical procedures that can be performed to change a person’s sex characteristics. SRS can be performed on people who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming.
Male-to-female (MTF) SRS is a type of SRS that is performed on transgender women. The goal of MTF SRS is to create a female-appearing genital area. The specific procedures that are performed vary depending on the individual’s anatomy and preferences. However, some of the most common procedures include:
- Vaginoplasty:This procedure creates a vagina using tissue from the penis, scrotum, or abdomen.
- Orchiectomy:This procedure removes the testicles.
- Labiaplasty:This procedure reshapes the labia minora and majora.
- Urethroplasty:This procedure creates a new urethra that allows the person to urinate standing up.
MTF SRS is a major surgery that requires a lengthy recovery period. The risks of the surgery include infection, bleeding, and complications related to anesthesia. There is also a risk of complications specific to the procedure, such as vaginal stenosis (narrowing of the vagina) or urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra).
The decision of whether or not to have MTF SRS is a personal one that should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. There are many factors to consider, including the individual’s gender identity, medical history, and personal preferences.
If you are considering MTF SRS, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the different options available to you. You should also do your own research to learn more about MTF SRS and the experiences of other transgender women.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care: https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc
- The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE): https://transequality.org/
- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC): https://www.hrc.org/
Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) for male-to-female (MTF) individuals, also known as gender-affirming surgery or feminizing genital reconstruction surgery, involves a series of procedures to create external female genitalia and modify the male genitalia to resemble those of cisgender women. The specific procedures involved in MTF sex reassignment surgery can vary, but commonly include:
- Orchiectomy: The removal of the testicles, which reduces testosterone production and helps feminize the body.
- Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty: This is the most common technique used for creating a neovagina. It involves repurposing the penile skin and tissue to construct the vaginal canal. The penile skin is inverted to form the vaginal lining, and the head of the penis (glans) is often used to create a clitoris.
- Labiaplasty: The creation of labia minora and labia majora using tissue from the scrotum or other donor sites. The labia are constructed to resemble those of cisgender women.
- Clitoroplasty: The construction of a clitoris using the glans of the penis or other tissue. The clitoris is positioned in a way that allows for sexual stimulation.
- Urethroplasty: The construction of the urethra to allow for urinary function. This involves repositioning the urethral opening and ensuring proper urethral length.
- Vaginal Canal Creation: The formation of a functional vaginal canal using the inverted penile skin.
It’s important to note that MTF sex reassignment surgery is a complex and highly specialized procedure. It should only be pursued after careful consideration, extensive discussions with healthcare professionals experienced in transgender healthcare, and meeting the necessary criteria for surgery.
If you are considering MTF sex reassignment surgery, it is recommended to consult with a qualified and experienced gender-affirming surgeon who can provide you with detailed information about the procedure, potential risks and complications, expected outcomes, and post-operative care. They can guide you through the process and help determine if the surgery is the right choice for you.