Own Study

Treatment

The following is a summary of the specific treatment given in these 43 cases:

Ten men got no specific treatment, I I only got estrogen treatment, 5 got estrogen treatment and afterwards a conversion operation. Eight got their name changed legally, all 8 after estrogen medication and 4 in combination with a conversion operation.

Two women got no specific treatment, I woman got only androgen treatment, 8 got their breasts amputated after androgen treatment, and 9 had their name changed legally, all after treatment with androgens and 7 in combination with a removal of their breasts.

In all except 3 cases of operation or change of name too little time has elapsed to be able to say anything definite about the results. The length of follow-up for the men who had an operation or their namechanged now amounts to 20.7 months on the average (median 24.5 months) and for the women to 42.3 months (median 26.2 months). The patients themselves all said, however, that these measures had made it easier for them to adjust, made them more stable mentally, and improved their sex life. None regretted what had been done. None showed any signs of the treatment having an adverse mental effect. On the whole, the women seemed to have profited more from their treatment than the men.

All patients were given supportive psychotherapy in order to help them cope with their problems, and various measures were taken to provide a better social adjustment.

After it has been possible to follow up these patients for a longer time, I intend to give a more exhaustive report on the results of treatment.