Prognostic factors vs. outcome in male-to-female transsexualism.

Abstract

Thirteen male-to-female transsexuals were investigated 6 to 25 years after surgery. Thirty-five prognostic items were compared with each of three outcome variables. Traumatic loss of both parents in infancy was connected with repentance at follow-up. A childhood family of an overprotective mother and a distant father, on the other hand, was prognosticlly favourable. Contrary to most previous reports, high sexual activity and bisexual experience was associated with fair sexual adjustment and with non-repentance after sex change. The repenting individuals, on the other hand, had been a-sexual or hyposexual before surgery. Completed military service, a history of typically masculine, hard jobs and a comparatively late (more than 30 years of age) first request for surgery, were found to be negative prognostic factors in sex-reassignment evaluations. The phenomenon of ambivalence or hesitance during the trial period is discussed. Both too much and too little ambivalence may suggest a poor prognosis.