Follow-up of sex reassignment surgery in transsexuals: a Brazilian cohort

Arch Sex Behav. 2006 Dec;35(6):711-5. doi: 10.1007/s10508-006-9074-y.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of sex reassignment surgery on the satisfaction with sexual experience, partnerships, and relationship with family members in a cohort of Brazilian transsexual patients. A group of 19 patients who received sex reassignment between 2000 and 2004 (18 male-to-female, 1 female-to-male) after a two-year evaluation by a multidisciplinary team, and who agreed to participate in the study, completed a written questionnaire. Mean age at entry into the program was 31.21+/-8.57 years and mean schooling was 9.2+/-1.4 years. None of the patients reported regret for having undergone the surgery. Sexual experience was considered to have improved by 83.3% of the patients, and became more frequent for 64.7% of the patients. For 83.3% of the patients, sex was considered to be pleasurable with the neovagina/neopenis. In addition, 64.7% reported that initiating and maintaining a relationship had become easier. The number of patients with a partner increased from 52.6% to 73.7%. Family relationships improved in 26.3% of the cases, whereas 73.7% of the patients did not report a difference. None of the patients reported worse relationships with family members after sex reassignment. In conclusion, the overall impact of sex reassignment surgery on this cohort of patients was positive.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • Cohort Studies
  • Family Relations*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Adjustment
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transsexualism / psychology*
  • Transsexualism / surgery*