Overview:
A transgender woman is someone who is trapped inside a male body. But identifies himself as a woman. This misalignment leads to gender dysphoria.
The method by which these people can alter their appearance and social position to fit their female gender identity is known as male to female (MTF) transition, and fortunately there are many choices available today.
Let’s learn more about MTF transition after 40? Continue reading!!
How common is Male to female transgender surgery after 40?
Most of the research with regard to transgender people is focused on the young people and hence the prevalence of male to female surgery at a later time is not well documented. However, the number of people undergoing gender reassignment surgeries at an older age are gradually increasing.
There are surveys that show that 1 out of every 4 transgender or non-binary people choose to have gender reassignment surgery after 40.
Is it possible to have gender reaffirmed at a later stage of life? Read to find out the answers!
Is MTF transition possible after 40?
Transgender identity can become apparent to a person at any time in their existence. A shift to a more feminine appearance is possible at any time in a person's existence.
Currently, there is no age restriction for getting medical care. Adults who want to transition may receive counseling, hormonal therapies, and surgical procedures from medical experts.
Okay, but is mtf transition after 40 effective?
How safe and effective is male to female transition after 40?
After the age of 40, the success of male-to-female (MTF) gender affirmation surgery can differ based on a person's body, general health, and medical procedure.
While age can affect surgical results, studies indicate that MTF gender affirmation surgery can be successful in helping people of all ages, including those over 40, to get a feminine look and function.
Decide after analyzing the pros and cons of having the surgery!! Read ahead to know more!
What are the Pros and cons of Male to Female surgery after 40?
There are pros and cons related to every decision of yours. Similarly there are pros and cons both for male to female surgery at all kinds of ages. We will particularly talk about the pros and cons of having male to female transition after 40.
The pros and cons of getting male to female surgery after 40 are:
| Benefits | Risks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you eligible for the surgery?
What are the risks?
Get all your answers!!
Read ahead!
Male to female transition after 40: Eligibility and exceptions
The eligibility criteria for male to female transition surgery after 40 is determined by the consulting doctor after assessing your case.
The factors which decide the weather you are eligible for MTF Surgery after 40 are:
- Overall Health
- Medical history and associated risks
- Gender dysphoria
- If after the assessment the doctor feels that you are physically fit to undergo the surgery, then only you can have their transition surgery.
- Additionally, in order to be eligible for Male to Female surgery after 40, you have to clear a psychological assessment. The test will assess if you have gender dysphoria and whether you are mentally prepared for the surgery and emotional changes associated with it.
- Also to be eligible for a male to female transition surgery you have to complete a course of hormone therapy successfully to undergo MTF transition surgery later.
Is surgery the only option? Look at what other options are available for you!
MTF Transition after 40- Treatment Options to Consider
Having surgery is one of the few options for male to female transitions after 40.
You may choose to not have surgery and go for other available options for gender reassignment.
On the basis of your age, medical health and preferences you may choose any of the following treatment options:
- Hormone therapy- This is done to induce feminine characteristics like voice change, development of secondary sexual characters, female genitals.
- Surgical procedures like facial feminization surgery which includes forehead and jaw surgery, breast augmentation, vaginoplasty, and voice feminization for voice dysphoria helps in getting you a more feminized body.
MTF transition after 40-Risks and Complications
The male to female transition surgery is a very complex procedure and there are numerous risks and complications associated with it, particularly for individuals over 40.
The risks and complications associated with MTF Transition after 40 are:
- Infection- Infections may occur at the site of surgery.
- Bleeding
- After effects of anesthesia
Are you all tensed up and thinking of not undergoing mtf transition after reading about the risks?
Hold on! The success rates may change your decision!
MTF Transition after 40: Success rates
The success rates of Male to Female Transition after 40 are 80% to 90%.
Yes, you read that right!
Still scared about the risks?
Relax! You can reduce them by following proper recovery and post-op guidelines!
MTF Transition after 40- About Recovery
This is a complicated procedure and recovery will happen faster if you follow all the post surgery instructions and go for regular follow ups.
Dr. Nick Bach, (Psy.D. - Doctorate of Psychology) of Grace Psychological Services also supports this and adds,
“Follow all instructions given to you by your surgeon regarding wound care, pain medication, activity level, etc.”
Follow up with the doctor for the following reasons:
- To know the status of healing process
- To remove your drains and stitches
- To keep a check on infection and scarring
- To check and update medications
While recovering you may feel pain.
In order to manage the pain follow the below mentioned instructions:
- Breathing exercises
- Guided exercises
- Music to relax
- Increased rest than usual
- Extra pillows
- Heating pads
- Cold packs
Now, let’s come to the section that we are the most interested in knowing!
MTF Transition after 40: results
The male to female transition surgery after 40, or any other age may result in following outcomes:
- More feminine facial features
- Feminine chest appearance with round, fuller breasts
- Creation of a functioning female vagina capable of sexual intercourse giving a complete sense of feminization
- More feminized body shape with wider hips, narrow waist and rounder buttocks.
According to Stephen Harrison, a senior tech officer at Researching Health,
“The physical, psychological, and social impacts of MTF transition after 40 can vary greatly from individual to individual. Some may experience a sense of relief and joy after finally transitioning, while others may experience more difficulty adjusting to their new identity. It is important to be patient and allow for plenty of self-care during this time.”
Okay, so after reading about the positive results,have you finally decided to undergo mtf transition!
Great! But wait!
There are some things to consider before undergoing mtf transition after 40.
Things to consider before male to female transition after 40
The University of California reports that beginning hormone therapy may increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer in individuals over 40.
It's possible that applying a patch to your epidermis and ingesting estrogen this way is better than using other hormone treatment methods.
If a transsexual woman is over 50 and still has testicles, a doctor may advise that she only use testosterone blockers or use lesser estrogen doses
The use of testosterone blockers can be discontinued by people who have had an orchiectomy or vaginoplasty. But until they turn 50, they should continue taking low amounts to lower their risk of developing osteoporosis.
Additionally, before any operation is performed, doctors will go over the dangers involved, including infections and complications.
Some fast facts about MTF Transition surgery after 40
| Success Rate | Recovery Time |
| 80%-90% | 2 weeks - 4 months |
Still confused if you should go for mtf transition before or after 40?
To help you make a better and a more informed decision, we have prepared a table below highlighting the major differences between mtf transition before and after 40.
This can help you better evaluate your decision and help you make the right choice!
MTF Transition Before V/s After 40
Aspect of Transition | Before Age 40 | After Age 40 |
| Hormone Therapy | More responsive to estrogen, generally leads to more significant physical changes | May require higher doses of estrogen to achieve similar results, and may experience less dramatic changes |
| Facial Hair Removal | Easier to remove hair permanently or semi-permanently | May require more extensive hair removal procedures and may have more difficulty achieving permanent hair removal |
| Voice Feminization | May have an easier time training the voice to sound more feminine | May require more dedicated training and practice to achieve a more feminine-sounding voice |
| Body Shape | May experience more significant changes in fat redistribution and overall body shape | May experience less dramatic changes in body shape due to factors such as reduced skin elasticity |
| Emotional and Social Support | May have more support from peers and family due to transitioning at a younger age | May have more difficulty finding support and understanding from peers and family due to transitioning at an older age |
So, what is your decision?
Conclusion
There is no one "ideal" age for male-to-female (MTF) transition, as the decision to transition is a personal one that depends on a variety of individual factors. Some people may feel ready to transition at a younger age, while others may not feel comfortable doing so until later in life.
Regardless of age, transitioning is feasible. There is presently no age restriction on when at time a person can socially and physically transition, though a doctor may take certain factors into account before suggesting certain changing treatments.
In general, it is recommended that individuals undergo hormone therapy and other transition-related treatments as early as possible to maximize the physical changes that can be achieved. However, it is never too late to begin transitioning, and many people successfully transition later in life.
Are you above the age of 40 and planning for a mtf transition and wish to be one among those who have had a successful transition later in life?
According to Luke R. Allen, a licensed Psychologist,
“Whether or not to transition is a personal choice the individual must make. However, it is not too late to transition after the age of 40. Though, there may be additional barriers such as unlearning a lifetime of female gender socialization, eliminating other unwanted secondary sex characteristics (e.g., body and facial hair), and navigating relationships at work, with your partner, or child. Other interventions and resources exist to address some of these needs: voice and mannerism coaching, electrolysis or laser hair removal, and support groups.”
To ensure that having medical shifting is the best course of action for a particular person, it is crucial to weigh the risks and benefits of specific transitioning procedures, such as hormone treatment and surgical procedures.
Have some more questions related to mtf transition after 40?
Then do not miss reading the below FAQs.
You might get an answer to your question!
FAQs
Does insurance cover the cost of male to female transition for individuals over 40?
The answer to this question may vary depending on the specific insurance plan and policy. In general, insurance companies are more likely to cover gender reassignment surgeries and related treatments for individuals who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria and meet certain criteria, regardless of their age.
However, some insurance policies may have age restrictions or exclusions for certain treatments. It's important to review the terms and conditions of your specific insurance plan to determine what is covered and what is not.
Are there any specific pre-op and post-op guidelines to follow for male to female transition after 40?
There are some general guidelines that individuals undergoing male-to-female transition may want to follow both before and after surgery, regardless of their age. However, it's important to note that every person's situation is unique, and the specific recommendations may vary depending on the individual's health, medical history, and surgical plan. It is important to follow the advice of your healthcare provider before and after surgery.
Pre-op guidelines may include:
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy diet:
- Exercise:
- Mental health support:
Post-op guidelines may include:
- Avoid strenuous activity for a period of time specified by your surgeon.
- Your surgeon will provide specific instructions on caring for your surgical site, taking medication, and when to schedule follow-up appointments.
- Stay hydrated
- Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any signs of infection, bleeding, or other complications.
