Becoming myself : : Gender identity. Trans men 1/2.

A radio documentary following a group of patients (raised female) who are following a programme of treatment for gender dysphoria at the Charing Cross Hospital in London to become male. The staff offer their views - they are caught in the cross-fire of being considered radical in the health community yet in the trans gender community, they are considered to be conservative in the treatment they provide. The clinic was set up in 1966. Dr Stewart Lorimer (?), a psychologist, investigates the patients' early memories of gender and how these have impacted on their lives. The NHS will provide treatment provided that there is a proven case. Dr Leyton Steel (?), endocrinologist, prescribes hormones to cause puberty and then later after surgery, hormones are given permanently to protect the health of the patient (required after the removal of ovaries and testes). Patients have to live in their new gender for at least a year before they undergo surgery. Breast tissue removal is the most desired first stage and their nipples are realigned. Dr James Barrett (?) is the lead clinician at the Charing Cross clinic. He describes how doctors were resistent to treating gender dysphoria as a medical condition. After their breast surgery, the next step for the patients is to consider genital re-alignment - a more complex surgical process in several stages.