If you believe yourself to be
transsexual or are confused about your gender identity or expression of
your gender, you may wish to consider treatment. Treatment is offered
at a number of centres across Scotland. It follows a well established
pattern, through a series of stages, ultimately leading to gender
reassignment surgery. The process has a number of appointments with
specialists and will also involve your own GP. Some GP's may be
unsympathetic to treatment - in this case you may have to change your
doctor.
You should be aware that the process
involves a radical change in your life, with far-reaching effects. It
will affect every aspect of your life, particularly your relationships
with your family and friends, but also with the public in general. It
may affect your employment and your lifestyle.
Initial assessment
Treatment of MTF transsexuals begins with a referral to a
gender specialist. This can be done via your GP, or directly. The
initial assessment may be followed by a diagnosis. If gender dysphoria is
diagnosed, you will be accepted for treatment. If there is any doubt about
diagnosis, then further assessments may be required, or counselling may be
recommended before you are accepted.
Real Life Experience
During this period, you need
to live continuously in your preferred gender in the whole of your
day-to-day life for at least a year before you can get surgery.
It is important to experience the realities and challenges
of interacting in your preferred gender in your local community
through all situations such as employment, voluntary work, educational
study, with relatives and in social & leisure activities. This will involve changing your name, updating all documents
such as passport and driving license, and altering details for
banks, energy suppliers, etc. You will also be
expected to attend support group meetings.
This is in accordance with the guidelines set out in the
‘Standards of Care’ as laid down by the World Professional
Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), formally known as the Harry
Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA). www.wpath.org
Second assessment
After 3 months a review will follow, with a further
interview with a second specialist, to confirm the diagnosis. Evidence
will be required to show that you are living full time in your new
role.
Hormone Treatment
If the diagnosis is agreed then
feminising hormone treatment may be prescribed, in the way of
oestrogens and possibly anti-androgens. It is vital that monitoring, by
the way of blood tests etc, is done when taking hormones, as they may
have dangerous side effects.
Surgery
You will be expected to continue for
a minimum of a year before gender reassignment surgery will be
considered. A second opinion from a mental health professional is
also required prior to referral.
Post Transition
Service users are normally offered an appointment to attend the clinic 6 months post transition.
Peer Support for Trans-women
Sandyford
Trans-women Support Group.
It
is open to trans-women who are current or previous service users of
Sandyford Gender Identity Clinic, those who feel they may wish to use
the clinic at some stage in the future, or indeed any Male-to-Female
(MTF) people with gender identity issues.
Although
run under the auspices of Sandyford, the group is independent of the
Clinic and meets twice a month within Sandyford, in a non-clinical
setting. You will be made very welcome and have the chance to meet
other people who may have had similar experiences to you,
where you can share
information and support.
For
further information about this group, contact Colin Mackillop, the Community Access
Co-ordinator at Sandyford colinmackillop@nhs.net
Crosslynx
The group, to which we are affiliated to. Based in Glasgow, they run a monthly support meeting, for those who consider themsleves to be Transgendered.
For further information about the group, visit their website: www.crosslynx.org.uk
Edinburgh Trans-women's Group
The group is aimed at transsexual women at any stage of transition or women who
are transgendered and live as women full-time or part-time. They welcome new
people to join the group.
They are based in Edinburgh, Scotland but open to
trans women wishing to travel to them. They meet once a month for a support group
meeting with general chat and discussions relating to transition or life living
as a woman. There are also social events at LGBT and mainstream venues. They look
forward to seeing you at their meeting or social events and feel free to contact them if you want more information
For further information about this group, visit their website: www.edinburghtranswomen.org.uk
Stirling TG Group (formally known as the West Lothian TV/TS Group)
Support group based in Buchlyvie
For further information about this group, visit their website: www.stirlingtggroup.org.uk
Swans of Scotland
Support group based in Inverness
For further information about this group, visit their website: www.spanglefish.com/swansofscotland
North East Support Trans (NEST)
Support group based in Aberdeen
For further information about this group, visit their website: www.nestsupport.co.uk
