Examining the prevalence of trans phantoms among transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse individuals: An exploratory study

Phantom sensation in genital gender-affirming surgery: a narrative review

“…One theory suggests it could be possible to achieve a volitional phantom penis through dedicated neurocognitive protocols to improve embodiment with similar themes appearing in peri-operative sensory rehabilitation protocols in genital GAS [12]. Typically, trans phantom penises are not associated with pain, but are often associated with presence and/or erogenous sensation [7 ▪▪ ,12]. Recent studies have formally investigated trans phantom penises in larger series of patients providing the groundwork to understand their prevalence, sensory experience, and the role they can play in embodiment.…”

“…Ramachandran and McGeoch reported that 66% of survey respondents experienced a phantom penis [13]. Langer et al [7 ▪▪ ] reported on a cohort of 1446 TGD adults of whom 48% experienced trans phantom sensations of some type and 41% of transmasculine respondents experienced a phantom penis. Trans phantom sensations exemplify the profound intersection between neurobiology and identity – these sensations that carry significant embodiment, sensory and sexual dimensions.…”

“…Not all TGD people experience trans phantom sensations, but for those that do, these sensations often manifest as neutral or erogenous. Recent studies demonstrate up to 80% of individuals who experience a phantom penis or vagina endorse erogenous sensations in that part [7 ▪▪ ]. This differs markedly from individuals who have had an injury or amputation of a gendered anatomic part, who more frequently have the experience of pain.…”

“…In these cases, a lifetime of visual and tactile feedback reinforces a limb's absence, yet the affected individual senses it as a lived sensory experience. In cases of aplastic phantoms, it is hypothesized that cortical structure may have developed in such a way that a preexisting central or cortical framework anticipates afferent nerve signals from a body part that never developed [7 Formal reports are emerging of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experiencing sensations of phantom body parts that the individual was not born with, often linked to gendered anatomic traits. This can include facial features, breasts, hips, thighs, and genitalia.…”

“…In these cases, a lifetime of visual and tactile feedback reinforces a limb's absence, yet the affected individual senses it as a lived sensory experience. In cases of aplastic phantoms, it is hypothesized that cortical structure may have developed in such a way that a preexisting central or cortical framework anticipates afferent nerve signals from a body part that never developed [7 ▪▪ ,8].…”