Transgenderism, transsexualism, and gender identity

Its prevalence

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Measurement of the prevalence of transsexuality:

Its prevalence is measured or estimated in various ways, based on the number of:

	Persons experiencing gender dysphoria.
	Persons who have socially transitioned to their perceived gender.
	Transsexual people who have sought help.
	Patients who have undergone hormone therapy.
	Patients who would like to have Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS)
	The number of patients who have actually undergone SRS.

Unfortunately, these criteria give very different results.

As society becomes more tolerant and understanding of transsexuality, as treatments progress, and as SRS and hormone treatments become more generally available, more existing transsexuals will probably come out of the closet and be counted. Thus the apparent number of transsexuals will rapidly increase over time.

Estimates of the prevalence of transsexuality:

Wikipedia reports:

"There are no reliable statistics on the prevalence of transsexualism. The DSM-IV (1994) quotes prevalence of roughly 1 in 30,000 assigned males and 1 in 100,000 assigned females seek sex reassignment surgery in the USA."

"One detailed estimate of the incidence of transsexuality is from the Amsterdam Gender Dysphoria Clinic. The data, spanning more than four decades in which the clinic has treated roughly 95% of Dutch transsexuals, gives figures of 1:10,000 assigned males and 1:30,000 assigned females."

"Other bodies report figures of between 1:1000 or even 1:500."

"No consensus has been agreed upon. Interest groups maintain this is probably because of various governments' unwillingness to fund treatment accordingly." ₁

P. Wilson, et al. conducted a study among all general practitioners in Scotland during the late 1990s. Among patients over the age of 15, the study found a prevalence of 1 per 12,200 patients with an approximate sex-ratio of 4 MTF (male-to-female) to each FTM (female-to-male) patient. They noted that:

"One-third of gender-dysphoric patients known to practices had registered in the preceding 12 months, suggesting that patients with this condition are increasingly likely to present for medical care." ₂

F. Olyslager and L. Conway attempted to obtain a reliable estimate of the prevalence of MTF transsexualism -- the most common type. Their analysis of past studies came up with an estimated prevalence of: Prevalance of SRS: 1 in 4,500 to 1 in 2,000 Prevalence of persons who want SRS: 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 1,000

But their analysis of more recent reports found:

1 in 500 individuals want SRS!

They concluded that: "Transsexuality is not that uncommon!" and that it is important that these data be generally recognized in order to improve health care for transgendered people. ₃

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. "Transsexualism," Wikipedia, at: http://en.wikipedia.org/
2. P. Wilson, et al., "The prevalence of gender dysphoria in Scotland: a primary care study," British Journal of General Practice, Vol. 49, #449, 1999-DEC, Pages 991-992, at: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/
3. F. Olyslager & Lynn Conway, "On the calculation of the prevalence of transsexualism," at: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/ This is a PowerPoint slide presentation.

Copyright © 2007 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Original posting: 2007-JUN-08
Latest update: 2009-JAN-05
Author: B.A. Robinson

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