Ask Matt: Do Trans Men Die Young?

[Natasha]

Ask Matt: Do Trans Men Die Young?

http://tranifesto.com/2013/02/14/ask-matt-do-trans-men-die-young/
2/14/13
Matt Kailey

"A reader writes: "I have a pretty scary question. I'm a trans man, and pretty early in everything, so I used to like looking accomplished trans men up online to have some celebrities to feel some sort of connection to.

"But then I noticed than trans men seem to die pretty young – at least the ones mentioned in 'famous trans men' lists all around. So many died before they were even fifty or sixty. And now I just saw another memorial post on Facebook for a guy who died, also before his 50th birthday.

"I know that it's probably a coincidence, and that all the trans men who live long, happy lives are probably never heard of. But I just have this nagging fear inside that it might have something to do with medical conditions that aren't being noticed because of bias in the medical system, or something to do with testosterone or ... you get the picture."

[King Malachite]

I love this article.  Thank you for posting this.  I agree with him with all of his points.

[Huan Cao]

Well, I know women tend to have longer life span than men. So it might make sense that trans women will die later than trans men?

[tomthom]

Yeah, they will have shorter lifespans. anything putting stress on the body will reduce your lifespan(testosterone and estrogen both reduce lifespans. being a eunuch is the most stable in terms of longevity). But really, if you're young and you transition, try not to think ahead to when you're going to be 50 or 60. Rather, think of it this way... 50 or 60 was considered beyond elderly at some point in human history. It's plenty of time to live a full life. some people live full lives by the time they are 20(or younger). Some of us may be outliers in terms of age, some will die young, some will reach 120 with medical advances that will inevitably come along. The best thing you can do is try to be productive and chug along. Do something interesting in your 20's and you're thirties so that when you're long gone and 200 years have passed, people remember those years about you.