Abstract
This paper reports on a survey approach to the study of the aging (40 years of age and older) female requesting sex reassignment surgery (SRS). A profile of 13 cases presenting at a cross-section of gender identity clinics in North America is presented. The mid-life SRS applicant is also compared on selected characteristics with a younger female transsexual group and with the aging male sex change applicant. Findings suggest that the mid-life female SRS applicant is closely akin to the aging, conflicted homosexual, whereas the mid-life male SRS applicant appears more closely associated with the aging transvestite.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bernstein, S., Steiner, B., Glaister, J., and Muir, C. (1981). Changes in patients with gender identity problems after parental death.Am. J. Psychiat. 138: 41–55.
Buhrich, N., and McConaghy, N. (1978). Two clinically discrete syndromes of transsexualism.Brit. J. Psychiat. 133: 73–76.
Buhrich, N., and McConaghy, N. (1978). Three clinically discrete categories of fetishistic transvestism.Arch. Sex. Behav. 8: 151–175.
Colarusso, C., and Nemiroff, R. (1981).Adult Development. Plenum Press, New York.
Daniel, A., Harris, P., and Husain, S. (1981). Differences between mid-life female offenders and those younger than 40.Am. J. Psychiat. 138: 1225–1228.
George, L., and Weiler, S. (1981). Sexuality in middle and late life.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 38: 919–923.
Levinson, D., Darrow, C., Klein, E., Levinson, M., and McKee, B. (1978).The Seasons of a Man's Life. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
Levy, N. (1981). The middle-aged male and female homosexual. In Howells, J. (ed.),Psychiatry of Middle-Age. Brunner-Mazel, New York, pp. 116–131.
Levy, S. (1981). The aging woman: Developmental issues and mental health needs.Prof. Psychol. 12: 12–102.
Lothstein, L. (1979). The aging gender dysphoria (transsexual) patient.Arch. Sex. Beh. 8: 431–443.
Lothstein, L. (1983).Female-to-Male Transsexualism. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.
Mogul, K. (1979). Women in mid-life: Decisions, rewards, and conflicts related to work and careers.Am. J. Psychiat. 136: 1139–1143.
Nadelson, C., Polansky, D., and Mathews, M. (1978). Marital stress and symptom formation in mid-life.Psychiat. Opinion. 15: 29–32.
Neugarten, B. and Datan, N. (1974). The middle years. In Arieti, S. (ed.),American Handbook of Psychiatry. Basic Books, New York.
Pauly, I. (1974). Female transsexualism: Part I.Arch. Sex. Beh. 3: 487–526.
Post, F. (1982). Functional disorders. In Levy, R., and Post, F. (eds.),The Psychiatry of Late Life. Blackwell Scientific, Boston, pp. 176–196.
Roback, H., Felleman, E., and Abramowitz, S. (1984). The mid-life male sex change applicant.Arch. Sex. Beh. 13: 141–153.
Siegel (1956).Nonparametric Statistics. New York: McGraw-Hill Book, New York, pp. 96–104.
Steiner, B. (1973). The crisis of middle age.Can. Med. Assoc. J. 109: 1017–1027.
Steiner, B., and Bernstein, S. (1981). Female-to-male transsexuals and their partners.Can. J. Psychiat. 26: 178–182.
Steiner, B., Satterberg, J., and Muir, C. (1976). Flight into femininity: The male menopause? Paper presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association Meeting, Quebec City, Canada.
Travis, C. (1977). The sexual lives of women over 60.MS July.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Roback, H.B., Lothstein, L.M. The female mid-life sex change applicant: A comparison with younger female transsexuals and older male sex change applicants. Arch Sex Behav 15, 401–415 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01543111
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01543111