Now we all know that you can’t do anything without a mission statement. So I can’t possibly have a blog without one.
Why do I have a blog?
Obviously this is because I am a self obsessed narcissist who believes that the world is desperate for every pearl of wisdom I impart on their ears.
This is a blog about being a Doctor more than it is about being a transsexual. It’s about being a newly qualified Doctor working in a ordinary sort of hospital in the UK. It’s about my dreams and idealism facing reality and going to hide behind a rock and cower. It’s about my attempts to pass the MRCP, about worries about the future.
I’m aware that the transsexuals you see on TV or read about in magazines are a very small minority. They’re the ones who don’t mind everyone knowing about their status, they tend to be early in the process of changing and very obviously transsexual, and they tend to be in the sort of job where it doesn’t matter if everyone knows. Or perhaps they can’t get a job because they’re a transsexual – no actually they can’t get a job because they’ve told everyone they were transsexual in the Daily Mail.
Well I’m nothing like that – most people who meet me seem to be genuinely surprising when they find out. Admittedly I have enough feminine mannerisms for people to assume I’m gay. There’s often a surprised expression when I causally mention T’Girlfriend in the conversation.
So that’s the reason I decided to start a blog – because us normal transsexuals don’t get much exposure in the media, and I wanted to have a discussion about a normal person with a normal-ish job.
This is also a blog about my attempts to get the MRCP and a review of the various books and websites out there and there helpfulness or otherwise. That tends to preoccupy me more than being a transsexual.
hi
I was doing a search for pregnancy after hormonal therapy for FTM’s. The search narrowed to FTM and pregnancy. Your blog appeared. I am writing to do that ever so annoying thing that I am sure you are getting quite sick of, which is… People asking you for medical advise. I know I know. I promise not to send any pictures of growths or rashes, to force a diagnosis out of you. Instead allow me to introduce my self for a moment. My name is Evette, I am from Texas and my boyfriend is trans. He and I have been talking for some time about having babies some day in the near’ish future, and I am just trying to do a little research into what’s out there as far as published information about FTM’s going off hormones to regain menstruation, as a means to become fertile and eventually pregnant.
My boyfriend, he has been on T for over five years now, and I start to get worried about sterility issues we could be facing in a couple of years.
Do you yourself know or know where I might find out about any studies or records pointing to when risks of sterility are at there highest.
I enjoyed reading a few of your blog entries, I especially appreciate your mission statement. Yee Haa my hats off to you for stating the little recognized truth.
Anyways I am rambling thanks again for your time and I appreciate the work you are accomplishing both with your dedication to medicine and your willing self-exposure into the life of another FTM.
Take care and merry Christmas.
Evette
By: evette richards on December 26, 2006
at 9:13 am
Okidokie – well I’m not an endocrinologist- so I’m not that sure.
There isn’t that much in the medical literature- in fact anything I can find, I guess most FtMs don’t consent to being written up.
In short we just don’t know when fertility is lost – it may be lost after cases. There are case reports on the internet but that’s just stuff on the internet.
Giving birth to a child and maintaining male identity are something that’s pretty difficult and challenging to society. I couldn’t do it at all.
By: Z on December 27, 2006
at 6:13 pm
This is what I was trying to find out. Friend, FTM, on hormones managed to get pregnant by her drag queen bf. What risks are there for the baby?
By: Carole on February 22, 2007
at 1:38 pm
Hi Carole.
There’s not been many pregnancies on T, so it’s hard to tell. Testosterone may cause a miscarriage, or a female fetus may end up masculinised, or their may be some other growth deformities.
Oh, and even if pregnant, it’s still ‘he’. Yes I know.
By: Z on February 22, 2007
at 3:51 pm
Incidentally: http://aggy.wordpress.com/
Aphra.
By: Aphra Behn on February 27, 2007
at 8:56 am
Hell I can understand. Thats wht I hope I’ll b able to do too.. Slip into a normal life, with no one hounding me.. and appear in the media only if I become a billionaire or invented alift to go into the moon!!
By: 'nonnymus on March 23, 2007
at 10:26 am
I hope it does work for you! It’s certainly not unheard of, I don’t think the media are interested unless you want to tell them about it.
By: Z on March 24, 2007
at 11:05 pm
I just wanted to say thanks for being out – it can’t be easy, and I can definitely understand not wanting to be public about being trans, but it *does* help to know that there are normal people living normal lives. Lynn Conway’s success stories help, but she has such frightening notions about what you need to transition (facial feminisation surgery, good god) it’s a bit daunting.
By: Anne on March 25, 2007
at 6:42 pm
Mm! That is daubting to begin with.
The thing is I’m not really out. I mean some people I work with remember me from medsdchool, but I reckon come my next move in August – if it’s to another area I’ll be totally stealth. So this blog – with no photos is my only way of being out.
The only people who are willing to go into the media are those who have nothing to loose, and all too often that’s the ones who are really obviously trans. Or those who have just transisioned.
By: Z on March 25, 2007
at 11:11 pm
Hi Z,
I’m an ftm guy in Australia who is also a doctor. If you’re interested in chatting, email me back.
By: D on April 25, 2007
at 7:28 am
Cheers for getting in touch. I will do! Though I’m not traumatised it’s good to know I’m not the only one.
By: Z on April 25, 2007
at 7:10 pm
Greetings Doc!
Good go on the blog. such a relief to find something about transfolks that doesnt include sex. Not that I am against sex, mind you!!!
me: transman in Southwest USA. live in a rural area and am having a dang hard time finding some body to “talk” with that doesnt flinch (with judgment OR curiosity!!) at the word ‘transexual’. Not that i flaunt it, I pass greatly, and the few friends I have come out to have been totally surprised.
Within the last month my father passed, and my wife and I separated (for the umteenth time). hungry for some connection with folks who think wiht ALL of themselves, not just the genitals.
Keep up the good work and all. Some young bloke’ll be lucky for sure when he gets you for his medical care, and anyone else for that matter.
take care of your self!!!!
By: Sunny on February 7, 2008
at 5:10 am
Hi.
I’m just starting the process of FtM.
I was curious though, I’m a young girl and just wanted to know if there is a age limit for Testosterone?
Please get back to me, thanks.
By: Kelsey on May 26, 2008
at 10:13 pm
Well I’m no expert in the treatment of transsexualism – but however the minimum age here is 18 I think. However some people go abroad to get drugs that block puberty earlier on.
By: Z on May 26, 2008
at 10:39 pm
Hello Dr. Z can you please tell me how i can remove an entry for privacy purposes.
I would really appreciate it.
thanks
By: remove entry on July 11, 2008
at 10:56 pm
Hi;
Nice to “e-meet” you. I found your blog by clicking on your comments on someone else’s blog. I don’t remember who’s now: maybe Gender Outlaw or Cheerfull Megalomaniac.
Anyway, I will look at your entries soon but for now I have to admit I’m puzzled about your use of the phrase “normal transsexuals”. Sorry, but I don’t think there is such a thing as normal anything. We’re all different. And I don’t see a problem with telling everyone that one is trans. I’m very open about it myself but I respect people who want to go stealth, for whatever reason. I don’t think I’m any “less” normal because I’m “obviously” transsexual and, presumably, a part of the “minority” that you mention above.
Please let me know if I’ve misunderstood you.
Cheers;
Jacky
By: Jacky V. on July 24, 2008
at 7:25 pm
hi- i was wondering if there was an email address I could send some info about having you be a featured blogger at peoplejam.com?
Thx!
angelo
By: angelo on October 24, 2008
at 12:17 am
I have read your story and found it a relief. Thank you for sharing your story, as a young transgender-it helped me feel somehow not as alone. I’d love to ask questions if you ever have spare time.
By: Cam on May 4, 2009
at 5:27 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
By: sandrar on September 10, 2009
at 3:00 pm