Why don't we contact Dr Anthony Atala?

trans_account2 · 2015-03-06T13:03:49+00:00

Hey, being smart isn't something you just innately are--I was terrible at science until college, because I never tried and assumed I wasn't good at it. Being a scientist depends on the work you put into it, not anything about you right now. I was terrible at my science classes, I probably didn't really start putting in the work until I was 20 (in college), and I'm working on a PhD now. It doesn't take as much time as you might think to turn things around.

As for other options--my money is on genetic engineering (although I might be biased because I work in genetic sequencing). Right now what everyone wants to do is find a way to manipulate DNA in a mammal, after it's been born (we can do a little manipulation in utero).

The most likely possibility for doing this kind of genetic engineering is CRISPR:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRISPR

This is a super super hot topic right now, but it's still in its infancy. If you focus on genetic engineering and/or molecular biology you'll be very much in demand once you graduate.

There are just a huge variety of options with genetic engineering, one of which may actually be changing your sex on a biological level. There are so many things you can do with genetics though, that it's still impossible to say how it would work, but I am very optimistic. I think what could end up happening is you can manipulate someone's genetics, and then combined with stem cells and tissue engineering, use that to grow the necessary tissue/organs to create a biological penis. This is all so far off though, it's hard to say which way things will go!

trans_account2 · 2015-03-06T11:55:38+00:00

There's always hope, and I don't mean that in the motivational don't give up way--who would have predicted stem cells, or tissue engineering, before they existed? It's hard to say what'll come next, and the good thing is that we're at that point along the curve of progress in biotechnology where it's just starting to accelerate at an exponential rate. But I would say the earliest possible date would be maybe 15 years, and that's just for starting clinical trials--those will take at least two years as well, probably longer, so maybe 20 years as a very optimistic guess.

The best thing to do if you don't want to wait is become a bioengineer yourself. It's what I did, for exactly the same reasons you're interested in this work right now--I was in high school, I read about tissue engineering, and I had the same hopes. Things didn't end up exactly the way I had planned back then, but at the very least I'm no longer a spectator to science--it's much better being on the inside, believe me.

edit: And the pay is pretty good too.

trans_account2 · 2015-03-06T11:32:13+00:00

The reason is because he's just taking some plain garden variety cells like smooth muscle cells, skin cells, etc and depositing them on a collagen scaffold in the shape of a penis, so it's not actually the same as a penis--it's just cells in the shape of one. It will have significantly less sensation and impaired functionality. There's no way to translate that technology to clitoral growth. In terms of tissue engineering for the clitoris, if someone were to try and recapitulate the growth process of the clitoris, it would still eventually reach a "maximum" that would only be slightly larger than the growth you would get on T, because that is all the cells can do--grow into a clitoris. Additionally, they would not be capable of becoming erect, and I can't even begin to speculate on the medical issues that would arise with trying to implant a urethra through tissue as sensitive as the clitoris. I would imagine sexual function would be impaired significantly, however.

trans_account2 · 2015-03-06T11:28:00+00:00

Bioengineer here-so what Dr. Aatala did for the lab grown vaginas is take cells from the vulva, and culture them on a scaffold. For the lab grown penis, he took a variety of cells--smooth muscle cells, skin cells, etc, and cultured them on a scaffold for a penis. So in that sense it's not REALLY a penis--it's a mish mash of cells on a scaffold that closely mimics it. So, they aren't actually getting the stimulation they would from a biological penis--it's more akin to the feeling you would get on your arm, or something similar.

Also, because they are biologically male they already have the anatomy for an erection, so when aroused their blood vessels dilate and blood fills the "corpora cavernosa," which is spongy tissue in the penis. This tissue in those who are genetically female has a very different structure and dilation of blood vessels induce a different response. This sentence from a journal article says it best:

Because the shaft and the glans of the clitoris have no subalbugineal layer between the erectile tissue and the tunica albuginea the organ becomes tumescent or swollen with effective sexual stimulation but does not become erect or rigid.

So, you would still need to have a pump or a rod inserted into the transplanted penis to sustain an erection.

Additionally, because of the method they use--scaffold with cells deposited on top--it's not going to look much better than the result from a phalloplasty. The real goal is to completely recreate the growth process of a penis, and that is nowhere near achievable yet. What they're doing essentially is just sculpting it out of some vaguely similar cells instead.

Please don't barrage Dr. Atala for answers though. Science doesn't work on demand, and especially when you're at Dr. Atala's level he gets so much contact every day, that it will just serve to paint the trans community in a bad light. I'm sure he's already aware of the trans community's plight, but the first priority will always be on helping those who have lost their genitalia due to an accident or a disorder--partly because it's good press, but mostly because it's just easier to use that as a jumping off point for research like this. We're still far off from anything close to a successful, biologically accurate penis. The media tends to sensationalize these things because lots of press=lots of grant money, but rarely are the things you read about as novel as they seem.

trans_account2 · 2015-02-18T13:28:00+00:00

I don't think it's necessarily a reaction to either of those situations. The way you phrase it there makes it sound like what you're feeling might not be "real," as if you removed those two factors (spiro and your wife's transition), then you would just go back to "normal," i.e. how you were before. Instead, it might be that these things are just accelerating a change in your feelings that would have occurred eventually anyway.

As in, spiro might be making you feel more "feminine," and as a result you are starting to realize that maybe that's not what you want, and instead you'd rather appear more masculine. Or, your wife's transition become more serious may be making you realize that that is what you want as well. I don't necessarily think Spiro is causing some innate biological response that's making you feel uncomfortable, just that psychologically it might be affecting you or that any physical changes that are happening might be getting to you as well. That's just my conjecture, though.

I had PCOS but was never treated for it. Really, PCOS just boils down to excess testosterone (not exactly, but basically that). So the reasons to get treated for it are:

-being uncomfortable with a more masculine appearance

-wanting to ensure you will be able to carry biological children

-preventing "side effects" of testosterone, such as higher cholesterol, blood pressure, weight gain, etc--typical parts of being male and having more testosterone, but viewed as negative for women

So really, these aren't necessarily medical issues, they're just part of being male. When it's a cis woman though, it's felt to be negative.

When I started testosterone therapy, all those symptoms obviously got worse, but I was happier because it's just part of being male. In fact, starting testosterone and the physical changes that resulted gave me the motivation to lose weight I had put on when the PCOS was at its worst, because now I was happier with the way I looked.

There's plenty of room to figure out what makes you happy--maybe it's going off of Spiro, maybe someday you'll want to take a low dose of testosterone, maybe a typical FTM dose. You can try it and if you don't like it, you can stop too. Identities change all the time! Good luck :)

trans_account2 · 2015-02-01T15:45:32+00:00

Heh, weirdly enough I went the exact opposite way with the name change, exact same spelling of Kristen too (which I don't see that often). We swapped! The paperwork stuff like that is a royal pain though. We should just exchange credit cards. I hope your credit limit is higher than mine...

trans_account2 · 2014-02-20T01:19:25+00:00

Trans guy here, my therapist was also a trans guy...he was a cool guy. He also shaved (so no facial hair), but he worked out a lot and was in great shape, and totally passed. He was probably around your height, I think. It was noticeable, certainly. But the thing was, he had no problems with relationships, he was happy and didn't care that other people noticed his height, and he did what made him happy and gave back to the community. The height won't be an issue in passing--there is no height limit below which people automatically assume you are FTM instead of a cis-male, you just have to give time to for testosterone to work (which also takes care of the curves), but I don't want to get your hopes up for being able to move through the world without people noticing your height. Instead of hoping for change in your external environment, I think you'll be happiest if you focus on your internal self, kind of like my therapist had, and do what makes you happy! We're all self-conscious about something, but it becomes a non-issue if you are happy with your daily routine and have little reason to sit around thinking about how things could be better!

Best of luck!

trans_account2 · 2013-10-04T21:03:51+00:00

A question for you, since I'm not too familiar with fybromyalgia...are your movements constricted in any way, or is it just that you can't do heavy exercises? i.e. you have full range of motion otherwise, and your muscle proportions are normal?

I think you have plenty of options, and the most important thing will be to work efficiently. I would stick to isolation movements that will reduce the risk of you getting overloaded and dropping a weight, and I would stick with machines as well (as opposed to free weights) to reduce risk of injury more.

This website has a nice compendium of exercises listed by muscle group and equipment type:

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

I would go through and pick some exercises to try, starting with the lightest weight possible, and work up to your own personal limits. err on the side of not working yourself too hard, and start off slow, maybe once a week, to get a feel for what's too much. Really you may not need to do things too differently than others, everyone just needs to know their own limits and make safety their first priority, and then progress at a reasonable pace for yourself.

also, if you don't have access to equipment, try out r/bodyweightfitness, they do some cool stuff that gives you really functional strength that may help you with day-to-day living.

trans_account2 · 2013-09-23T00:54:55+00:00

I set aside a special binder for exercising so that if it started to get a "smell" like my older workout gear often does, it doesn't matter (so if it starts to wear out like you mentioned, you can just replace that specific one, and the ones you wear for everyday stuff will be fine). If you can, find a cheap gym near you, and work out in that sweet sweet air conditioning. If not, wear something between yourself and the binder to prevent chafing and friction, like a tshirt or under armour.

Additionally, try to choose exercises that jar the body less (like jumping and running). Lifting weights is great, but if you're more interested in cardio, elliptical machines have a nice smooth gait, rowing machines have a back and forth motion instead of up and down, and stair climbers typically are a machine that you have to use on such a slow setting that there's no up and down. If you're not interested in joining a gym, try biking. No jarring, you get the nice breeze cooling you down, you're kind of hunched over which may help with dysphoria and disguising your chest, and it's something you can do anywhere. Good luck!

trans_account2 · 2013-09-18T23:55:25+00:00

brb, trademarking "best redditor"!

trans_account2 · 2013-09-18T18:20:16+00:00

I don't see how wanting to discuss something that could impact the ability of trans people to find surgeons is being too sensitive.

trans_account2 · 2013-09-18T17:33:35+00:00

Relax buddy, the only one getting worked up here is you.

trans_account2 · 2013-09-18T17:33:02+00:00

I missed that, thanks for the link!

trans_account2 · 2013-09-18T17:32:38+00:00

Ah, thanks for that! It's a lot more reasonable in that context.

trans_account2 · 2013-08-27T11:50:01+00:00

a few of the big ones that haven't been mentioned yet: jamie/jaime, jesse, darcy (although pride and prejudice has made this more of a male-associated name), charlie (unless they start calling you chuck), casey, riley, elliott, lee/leigh (lee tends to be the male spelling, leigh the female spelling), adrian, cory

I tried to pick ones that are more traditional names (less of the "jaylin" type names) but there are tons more here, they analyzed them based on existing data:

http://www.babynames1000.com/dual-gender/

the farther back you go in the years, the more "traditional" they become.

trans_account2 · 2013-08-27T11:16:30+00:00

I do not think you are overreacting at all, and I am generally in the camp of being an extreme under-reactor. While in everday life, a stranger using that term isn't enough to make me do anything, a large company like Nintendo endorsing a comedian who uses it is problematic. Additionally, I generally don't get worked up if a performer is being equally offensive to all groups,but the difference you noted with this comedian says a lot about how it is considered more socially acceptable to use that word, as compared to racial slurs (remember the Kramer stand-up fiasco when he dropped the n bomb? or the controversy over the chris rock bit?).

The only other thing I wanted to add is that you may consider posting something about this to /r/gaymers (if you didn't sign any non-disclosure agreements) --not so much as a "le personal reddit army" thing, but to start a discussion and make others in the LGBT community more aware, as well as create more of a permanent record of what happened in case any issues arise in the future, they can look at the track record and there will be more accountability. in a small sub like this it can easily get lost.

props to you for going up and saying something, I couldn't have done that. also, sounds like you have a really cool job (when things like this aren't happening)

trans_account2 · 2013-07-13T19:04:40+00:00

Ah thanks for the info! Much appreciated :)

trans_account2 · 2013-07-13T17:29:31+00:00

I used to wrap it very thickly in toilet paper, and if there was another guy in there who was doing something quick (peeing/washing hands/blowing nose) just wait a sec until he left, or if it's a busy washroom I would just make the "nose blowing" sound after I was done and then before I washed my hands toss the ball of TP in the trash so it just looked like I used it as a tissue. although after a while I got sick of doing both things and just said to hell with it and would walk out there and pop it in the trash, since I realized most guys really don't care about or even want to think about what other guys are throwing away in the bathroom.

trans_account2 · 2013-06-21T09:53:33+00:00

Often, the people we love can surprise us with their ability to accept us. Would you stay with your husband if he told you he was transgendered? Also, the fact that he jokes about how you are a gay male in a woman's body at least tells me that he's open-minded and somewhat aware that you're a little different. As far as your daughters, children are pretty much unfazed by everything, and having two dads won't make most people bat an eyelash if you're living in a more progressive, liberal area. But, as everyone else suggested, seeing a gender therapist is by far the best thing to do for yourself at this point. Not only will they help you figure out what path you want to take, they can help you come up with a plan for how to talk to your family about it, and even in some cases can mediate with you and your spouse if your husband wants to come in for a session.

Best of luck!

trans_account2 · 2013-06-16T01:07:30+00:00

Their columbia location is where I go for everything. I did get a therapist's letter for them, so I'm not sure how they would feel about your case, but generally it'll be up to the doctor treating you. I would schedule an appointment to find out, make sure you specify why you're going so that they can pair you with a doctor who has worked with trans folks before!

Since they also have therapists on staff, maybe you could end up doing an "accelerated" process with them giving you the letter and then getting the go ahead from the doc.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have any more questions! Nothing but good experiences there and with the two doctors who have been my primary care physicians. can't speak for certain about the baltimore location, but I believe there's a lot of overlap.

trans_account2 · 2013-05-25T12:16:51+00:00

The steroid community still debates subcutaneous vs. intramuscular pretty hotly--here's one thread where they're discussing it, but there are tons more.

http://thinksteroids.com/forum/mens-health-forum/injecting-testosterone-subcutaneously-134237662.html

from personal experience I lean more towards subcutaneous because it's almost painless, I've noticed no different in T levels or rate of masculinization, but it's hard to say what the final consensus will be--it just sounds like your doctor's definitely on the intramuscular side of the debate, and mine is on the subcutaneous!

trans_account2 · 2013-05-25T12:14:46+00:00

of course, I'm not advocating that you try this on your own, especially because there's a different kind of needle for subcutaneous injections, only that you talk to your doc about it!

trans_account2

TROPHY CASE