After starting hormonal treatment, how will my body change?
There are three different treatments that we need to discuss about transgender men’s pelvic health:
Testosterone Therapy
Surgical procedures
Psychosocial
Testosterone Therapy
After the start of testosterone therapy, the balance of estrogen and testosterone in the body starts to change. This can lead to a deficit of estrogen that can cause problems such as vaginal tissue atrophy and vaginal dryness. The change of environment in your vagina may increase your risk of cervix, vagina, and/or bladder infections.
Surgical Procedures
Some surgical procedures that transgender men undergo include Bilateral mastectomy, hysterectomy, vaginectomy, and metoidioplasty. Following these procedures, we can see the development of scar tissue that may lead to scar tissue adhesion and muscular dysfunctions.
Psychosocial
Unisex restrooms in public are still not easily available and this can cause issues such as holding in urine instead of going to the restroom or waiting until there is more privacy to go. Also, some transgender men are not happy with their bodies or feel that they don't belong in it. This denial can lead to the development of chronic pain and/or high tension in the nervous system.
How do I know if the pain I am feeling is related to pelvic health?
Symptoms such as painful sex, stomach cramps, pain during urination/defecation, hot/burning/electric shock-like pain, or feeling of pressure/heaviness in your pelvic area can be related to pelvic pain. You should consider consulting with your OB/GYN or pelvic floor physical therapist if you experience any of these symptoms.
How can pelvic health physical therapists help you?
Pelvic health physical therapists can do internal/external assessments to identify pelvic floor dysfunctions following hysterectomy, vaginectomy, and metoidioplasty procedures. Also, we can educate you on how to address certain issues such as intercourse, vagina dryness, minimizing pain while going to the restroom, and/or sensation of heaviness in your pelvic area.
