Post-Operative Psychosocial Adjustment Among Female-To-Male Transgender People in Iran: A Qualitative Study Publisher



Khosravi M ; Sheikhmoonesi F ; Alishah A ; Yahyavi ST ; Alipour A
Source: Sexuality and Culture Published:2025

Abstract

Given the increasing prevalence of gender dysphoria and recent advances in access to sex reassignment surgery, further studies are needed in this area. This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of female-to-male transgender people after sex reassignment surgery. In a qualitative study using a phenomenological method, a semi-structured, in-depth interview was conducted with 20 individuals with gender dysphoria, female to male, who were referred to the forensic medicine organization of Mazandaran province between March 2016 and Dec 2022. They had gone through the legal steps to undergo sex reassignment surgery and had undergone female-to-male gender reassignment surgery. People who were at least six months post-surgery were included in this study. The main question in the interviews was: “what has been your experience after sex reassignment surgery?“. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Researchers conducted a descriptive phenomenology study using MAXQDA 2020. Four main themes emerged including “Freedom”, “Rebirth”, “Reconciliation with the mirror” and “Challenges”. Eleven categories were extracted from the interviews: Freedom from pretense and pressure, Freedom from femineity, Improving relationships, Being seen with true identity, Higher self-esteem, Being comfortable in sports and recreational environments, Lack of financial support, Stigma, Imperfect body, Trying to hide the past, and Delay in identity correction in ID cards. Although the participants had many positive experiences, they also faced great challenges. Identifying these challenges and making efforts to prepare for and deal with such challenges is necessary to increase satisfaction after surgery. Findings can improve post-operative care and identify policy goals, financial aid, stigma reduction, and easier ID correction, to increase post-surgery satisfaction. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.