FTMs vs. everyone else
Futterweit et al (1986) suggests that endocrine dysfunction may be as prevalent as 32.5% in the hormonally untreated female-to-male transsexual (FTM) population. Bosinski et al (1997), in a German clinic, found that 33.3% of the control females studied were above normal for at least one androgen measured, compared to 83.3% of the FTMs. The FTMs in Bosinski's study had significantly higher levels of testosterone and androstenedione than the control females, although lower than the control males. The FTMs were also determined to more similar to the body type of the control males than females on 7 of the 14 body measurements, such as body mass index, forearm proportions, and waist-to-height ratios. Bosinksi et al discuss three possible explanations: body differences due to nutrition and training, gender identity as a reaction to body shape differences, and body and gender identity differences as a result of hormonal differences.
Sadly, these sorts of comparisons don't appear to have been done for male-to-female transsexuals (MTFs). Studies on FTMs that I've found seem to focus on their bodies and hormones; MTF studies focus on their brains. I do think there are as many differences as similarities in the experiences of MTFs and FTMs, but I don't see this as any excuse for the difference in the research. However, I do think these differences contribute to why I have the luxury and privilege of writing Difference Blog.
One year ago today, I started work on a project I'd been planning for a couple of years. Originally, the idea was to collect an anthology of essays from FTMs under the title Everything I didn't know I knew about being a woman when I was one. Transitioning had made me hyper-aware of the gender cues that people send out every day, consciously and accidentally. I discovered that nearly everyone has theories about gender differences, and they all felt like I was a safe sounding board. Exploring their ideas, and my own, led to the creation of Difference Blog. Thank you for reading, arguing, and keeping me going.
Sadly, these sorts of comparisons don't appear to have been done for male-to-female transsexuals (MTFs). Studies on FTMs that I've found seem to focus on their bodies and hormones; MTF studies focus on their brains. I do think there are as many differences as similarities in the experiences of MTFs and FTMs, but I don't see this as any excuse for the difference in the research. However, I do think these differences contribute to why I have the luxury and privilege of writing Difference Blog.
One year ago today, I started work on a project I'd been planning for a couple of years. Originally, the idea was to collect an anthology of essays from FTMs under the title Everything I didn't know I knew about being a woman when I was one. Transitioning had made me hyper-aware of the gender cues that people send out every day, consciously and accidentally. I discovered that nearly everyone has theories about gender differences, and they all felt like I was a safe sounding board. Exploring their ideas, and my own, led to the creation of Difference Blog. Thank you for reading, arguing, and keeping me going.