Teen Transgender Fertility Journey

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Jan. 4, 2018 - PRLog -- As the world becomes more accepting of transgender individuals, more and more transgender teens across the United States are comfortable coming out. In fact, studies show less than one percent of the U.S. population identify as transgender--approximately 1.4 million people. In order to best support transgender teens, knowledge is paramount.

A transgender person is defined as someone whose gender identity does not correlate with the sex they were born as. While many people do not understand this struggle because we feel our gender identity corresponds with what we were born as, whether it be male or female, some feel there is a disconnect between these two entities. If a biologically-born female prefers the identity of a male, this individual is transgender.

Family acceptance among transgender youth has a number of positive impacts on the individual in question, including but not limited to: improved self-esteem, social support, and general health status. Additionally. it prevents depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.As recent as 2015, research has shown those who transition young suffer few ill effects, and maintain a higher level of functioning than prior to their transition. Additionally, results of treatment such as counseling are considered better when it is offered at an earlier age.

For those who are transgender and wish to transition into the gender of which they identify, they must begin a physiological and biological process. This includes, predominantly, hormone treatments. Guidelines set forth by the Endocrine Society and World Professional Organization for the Transgender Health suggest this transition period begin at the age of 16, though this process is individualized. Circumstantially, one's transition process can begin earlier with the consent and endorsement of the individual's parents and therapist.

Fertility preservation process; Fertility preservation is one of the most important issues of concern for individuals seeking to transition from male to female, or vice versa. As the medical community continues to advance in regard to transgender medicine, more and more people are avoiding gender reassignment hormone therapy. As a result, there is an ever-growing population of individuals who have a lack of understanding regarding their fertility needs and reproductive potential.

For a male seeking a transition into becoming female, there are a number of possible procedures to protect fertility, such as sperm cryopreservation, surgical sperm extraction, and testicular tissue cryopreservation are possible. In the opposite situation, a female transitioning into a male can elect to have various fertility preservation options such as embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Despite these techniques being determined according to one's biological state, the patient should be thoroughly up-to-date of all of his or her options before making an informed choice.

"Transgender medicine is the newest and least understood aspect of contemporary fertility care" explains, Dr. Mark Denker the Medical Director for Palm Beach Fertility Center. Dr. Denker is currently treating 3 transgender patients. Dr. Denker says, "it is important to go to a physician or clinic that has experience and is supportive of transgender persons." (patient name) is a 13-year-old male-to-female (MtF) transgender person preparing to undergo gender transition with an endocrinologist. After extensive consultation and psychological assessment, (patient name) was considered an appropriate candidate and is proceeding with Semen cryopreservation. When (patient name) is ready to grow her family with a biological child, it will be possible through IVF which requires the use of an egg donor and a gestational surrogate. These roles may be provided by female relatives or friends, or through women who provide these services through an agreement facilitated by an agency, Palm Beach Fertility Center (http://www.palmbeachfertility.com/) and/or an attorney.