ABSTRACT
Persons who were born into a female body who believe that they should have been men comprise approximately one-third of the transsexual population (Asscheman, Gooren, & Eklund, 1989). Prior to being referred for endocrinology assessment and treatment, all transsexuals are diagnosed as such by two independent psychiatrists and followed in the Gender Dysphoria Clinic (now called Centre for Sexuality, Gender Identity and Reproductive Health) of the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre. In our center, we are actively following 36 female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals (of a total active transsexual population of 232); therefore, 16 percent of our clients are FTM transsexuals. Five have had genital-reassignment surgery. FTM transsexuals have been followed an average of 6.1 (range 1 to 10) years, while those who are postsurgery have a slightly longer follow-up of 6.8 years.
