So this thread is about the fact that with research if people started medical transition like early childhood/teens they have less issues medically and with expenses but after a certain age permanent effects set in and some cannot be reversed.  Why does it appear that if like one starts in later teens through adulthood the current treatment is about the same? Why can't medical professionals invest into better procedures that can reverse permanent changes effects? Medication about the same surgery about the same nothing new has come out to make things better for the parts that the public will see. This post is only to be responded by people 18+ as it pertains to us more. Thanks for your input

Melissa317,

I am a late transitioner.

What you are asking for is the Holy Grail of age defying medicine. I live in Florida and this is where the legendary Fountain of Youth is supposed to be. We have not found it yet.

We do have many Doctors here who specialize in age defying medicine and they are pretty much limited to Hormone therapy, Plastic Surgery, Diet and Exercise. It is effective. There are many women AND men who are in retirement age (65+) who look and behave like they are 40 years of age.

For male to female transitioners, we have additional issues, but these issues can be treated the same way.

Quote from: Melissa317 on September 03, 2017, 06:11:16 AM
So this thread is about the fact that with research if people started medical transition like early childhood/teens they have less issues medically and with expenses but after a certain age permanent effects set in and some cannot be reversed.  Why does it appear that if like one starts in later teens through adulthood the current treatment is about the same? Why can't medical professionals invest into better procedures that can reverse permanent changes effects? Medication about the same surgery about the same nothing new has come out to make things better for the parts that the public will see. This post is only to be responded by people 18+ as it pertains to us more. Thanks for your input

I don't necessarily think that younger transitioners get better results,  but we older transitioners seem to take longer to get our results. HGH levels also play a part. There is a limit to what can be achieved with current medical science, although developments are being made constantly. Research is being done, but the majority of trans research happens as side effect of other research. Sadly, trans research just doesn't attract the research funding.

Now, on the surgical side, there is much that can be done. Facial surgeries are available that can reverse the worst of it. Surgery is often a field where improvements are small and incremental, rather than something big a new like a new cancer treatment. As an example, reassignment surgery has been undergoing a constant cycle of improvements.

I only started transitioning in Dec, a month and a half before my 55th birthday.  I'm FTM, and let me tell you the physical changes I'm undergoing despite my age are astonishing! 

If you're looking for a "magic wand" to wave and make everything change, when you find one, let me know.  Second puberty is a bit rough, and anything that'll make my facial hair grow faster, my new deeper voice stop cracking and my muscles to grow without exercise I'm interested in!

Seriously though, I knew that transitioning later in Life comes with its own set of problems.  So when my body started making more red blood cells and raised my already high blood pressure, I knew to expect it.  When I started feeling dizzy, having headaches and just not feeling quite right, I made a doctor's appointment and had a EKG made.  Turns out I had "cardiac changes" because of the extra red blood cells raising my blood pressure.  My PCP had to raise the dose of one of my two HBP meds and I now have a new cardiologist to insure that any and all (new) cardiac issues are taken care of as soon as I feel anything weird.

I'm now looking into top surgery because yes, we still may need to go the surgery route as well as hormones.  I also still do "cis-man watching" to learn new clothing styles and cis-male mannerisms.

So yeah, let me know about that magic wand so I can wave it around for myself, okay?

Ryuichi

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Reality Sucks

Testosterone is a very powerful drug. For MTF's The affects on bone growth, muscle mass, are difficult and risky to overcome. So says this 62 y/o, 6ft tall, big everything, balding since 14 gal who was already 5'10 at 14 y/o.

Quote from: JoanneB on September 03, 2017, 07:19:42 AM
Reality Sucks

Testosterone is a very powerful drug. For MTF's The affects on bone growth, muscle mass, are difficult and risky to overcome. So says this 62 y/o, 6ft tall, big everything, balding since 14 gal who was already 5'10 at 14 y/o.

WHOA!  At 5'7&1/3"/171cm, I'd love to have some of that height!

Lucky for me, years of being a EMT and then a Paramedic have given me broad shoulders and somewhat male musculature.  T (and exercise) is only enhancing what muscles I have.

Ryuichi

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Personally, I've been pretty happy with what HRT alone is doing even while older.  I have been supplementing that with fasting and strength training to naturally raise HGH and running and a good diet to help with body recomposition.  The only thing I wish there were a magic wand for is voice because that's still my huge weak point.

Reality bites  and the reality is that there simply aren't enough of us to be profitable for studies and research. Without the viability of profit being made by researchers, there's little chance much will be done to further our cause. I don't take it personal. If you have a rare cancer that is only gotten by say...1 in 200,000 people, you're going to die. There simply isn't motivation to help those people because in spite of it being a medical condition, altruism is quite unfortunately, rather a subjective thing. Particularly in a capitalistic environment. So we get to fumble along with what's been gleaned through trial and error

Having availed myself of HRT and some limited surgery my journey suggests the greatest change has still occurred between my ears vs between my legs.

Self acceptance remains key for me while stereotypical gender markers do not make one male or female.  Diversity is what rocks and needs to be celebrated and embraced.

My perspective as a senior is that an enormous amount of resources are now readily available and knowledge is another key to success.

Freedom to pursue your dreams your way is worth working for.  Take that next step if you wish to see some change.  A late start does not preclude a satisfying finish or the joy of living along the way.

I like your attitude, Tessa. Personal happiness is the key. Good on ya.😀

Quote from: MelissaWhy can't medical professionals invest into better procedures that can reverse permanent changes effects? Medication about the same surgery about the same nothing new has come out to make things better for the parts that the public will see.

Quote from: Jessica Lynne on September 03, 2017, 11:24:30 AM
Reality bites  and the reality is that there simply aren't enough of us to be profitable for studies and research. Without the viability of profit being made by researchers, there's little chance much will be done to further our cause. I don't take it personal. If you have a rare cancer that is only gotten by say...1 in 200,000 people, you're going to die. There simply isn't motivation to help those people because in spite of it being a medical condition, altruism is quite unfortunately, rather a subjective thing. Particularly in a capitalistic environment. So we get to fumble along with what's been gleaned through trial and error

Whether estrogen or testosterone, most of the effects of puberty cannot be reversed period. In normal development, hormones have their primary effects while the body is still growing. Once the body matures (mafor elements of which are very much triggered by the presence of hormones), growth cannot be undone.

Natal females' breasts and broader hips and natal males' facial hair, broader shoulders, lengthened vocal chords are pretty well set in stone. As for the "lack of advancement in treatments" that's not true.

Surgical techniques have evolved quite a lot in the last 20 years, to say nothing of the better outcomes due to improved surgical techniques. Where 20 years ago typical hormonal regimens available were conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone they are now largely replaced with bioidentical estradiol and micronized progesterone.

Figuring out your gender before puberty is almost certainly always going to be your best approach and the difference today, vs for instance what I was exposed to is at least societal awareness and at least sometimes accepting of us so the chances of realizing before puberty are far better.

What we probably will see in the coming years will be autologous generation of organs. So in the not so distant future, a trans woman may be able to have fully tissue compatible ovaries, or uterus or a transman testicles or penis. We'll see those things before we will reversals of growth already written in the body.