Do women turn into men too?

Question

Hello, people. I don't mean to offend anyone by this question. It's just that we all know about transsexuals who were originally men and they undergo an operation to become women. Are there any people who do it the other way round? Are there any women who transform into men (by an operation or any other means)? Thanks!!!
PS This is a serious question, so I expect serious answers.

Answer 1

Good question!

Yes, there certainly are women who transition to become men. Known as FtM's (female-to-male), there are actually about equal numbers of them to MtF's, but the latter is simply more well-known and publicized, for various reasons (oftentimes they pass much better than MtF's, they aren't as threatening to women or men as MtF's are to men and lesbians, still don't have perfect surgeries that have caught national attention, etc.) FtM's are, however, starting to get more recognition.

Like MtF's, FtM's can have any sexual orientation- there are those who, post-transitioning, are heterosexual, and there are gay transmen who were straight pre-transition, and therefore are gay after transitioning. Or they can be bisexual, or basically any other sexual orientation that a non-trans person can be.

In order to become men, FtM's take testosterone, which transforms their bodies (lowers the voice, somewhat shrinks breasts, re-distributes fat around the body, adds and changes the texture of body and facial hair, changes skin texture, masculinizes the face, enlarges the clitoris, etc., etc.). A masectomy is required to remove the breasts and create a male chest. FtM bottom surgery is notoriously, prohibitively expensive, and moreover, it's still not up to par with MtF surgery (as the ol' saying goes, it's easier to dig a hole than build a pole). Most FtM's choose not to ever get bottom surgery for these two reasons, but if they do, there are two types, each of which have their pluses and drawbacks. I outlined them in this question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AilkRUCmYl5o_jrmgzq7R7cjzKIX?qid=20061209203730AA8kHHg

Some FtM's feel they need to have their uterus removed in order to feel male, so oftentimes hysterectomies are performed, too. Given the higher risk of FtM's getting cervical or uterine cancers (probably from the effects of testosterone, but it's not entirely sure), having a hysterectomy is probably a smart move.

If you'd like to learn more about FtM's, there are some great autobiographies out there that are really good books:

1) Becoming a Visible Man by Jamison Green
2) A Self-Made Man: The Diary of a Man Born in a Woman's Body by Paul Hewitt
3) Dear Sir or Madam: The Autobiography of a Female-To-Male Transsexual (Sexual Politics) by Mark Nicholas Alban Rees
4) The Testosterone Files: My Hormonal and Social Transformation from Female to Male by Max Wolf Valerio
5) Transman - Bitesize: The Story of a Woman Who Became a Man by Rico Adrian Paris
6) From Female to Male: The Life of Jack Bee Garland by Louis Sullivan
7) All She Wanted by Aphrodite Jones
8) Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton by Diane Wood Middlebrook
9) Just Add Hormones by Matt Kailey
10) A Man: The Transsexual Journey of an Agent Provocateur by Max Wolf Valerio
11) Tranifesto: Selected Columns and Other Ramblings from a Transgendered Mind by Matt Kailey
12) The Mirror Makes No Sense by Mark A. Cummings
13) What Took You So Long: A Girl's Journey to Manhood, Raymond Thompson with Kittey Sewell

The film "Boy's Don't Cry" is also an excellent movie about an FtM, based on a true story.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Yes.
I met a man a few years ago - I was audition him as a singer in my organization. I had a hard time placing his voice, and asked if he had just gotten over a cold. He told me that he had just finished his surgery. After a few more questions I realized what he meant. It floored me. I had NO IDEA this guy was born a woman.

A lot of female-to-male transsexuals forego any kind of phalloplasty: the creation of a penis. There are not many options in this category yet.

I now know 3 female-to-male transsexuals. And several more male-to-female transsexuals. To be honest, it used to freak me out. But now that I know them I realize: they are people, just like I am a person. I find their journeys fascinating.

Answer 3

It happens. My friend Bailey was born a female named Anya, and transitioned to being a male. He is very successful in his career, as well, so you see? Transsexuals can contribute to society as well. I know that wasn't in your question, but I'm predicting the general tone of some of these answers.

Answer 4

yes there are women who transition into men. Usually the results for them is more convincing, just the genitilia isn't.

Answer 5

yes, there are women who get the surgery and hormone therapy to become men.

Answer 6

yes.
i think they turn the anatomy inside out.

Answer 7

Yes, they do.