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Male Transsexualism in Singapore: a Description of 56 Cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

W. F. Tsoi ,
L. P. Kok  and
F. Y. Long
W. F. Tsoi
Affiliation:
Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore 19, Republic of Singapore
L. P. Kok
Affiliation:
Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore 19, Republic of Singapore
F. Y. Long
Affiliation:
Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore 19, Republic of Singapore
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Abstract

A psychiatric investigation on 56 cases of male transsexuals in Singapore revealed a prevalence of 1 in 25,000. Eighty-two per cent were prostitutes and 83 per cent had completed secondary education. All were unmarried, and 35 per cent were co-habiting with men. Fifty-eight per cent had felt they were females before the age of 5, 65 per cent cross-dressed before the age of 10, and by the age of 20, 57 per cent were completely cross-dressed of whom 73 per cent were receiving female sex hormones. Their mean IQ was 105. Thirty-two (58 per cent) underwent sexual reassignment surgery. There was no report of psychiatric complications. It was concluded that transsexualism as described by different authors may not refer to the same condition. Aetiologically, these cases did not appear to be determined by early childhood experience.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 131 , Issue 4 , October 1977 , pp. 405 - 409
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1977 

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