Facial transsexualizing procedures in people with gender dysphoria: literature review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Transsexuals are individuals who experience discomfort or anguish caused by the discrepancy between their gender identity and their assigned sex at birth, so they intensely experience the need to experience the opposite gender. The main purpose of facial masculinization and feminization is to provide the transsexual individual with a face that matches their real gender and make them accept, recognize and identify themselves by looking in the mirror, without harm or discomfort. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a review of the literature on facial transsexualization procedures to which transsexual men and women are submitted. METHODOLOGY: A literature review was carried out, highlighting the use of databases: VHL, Google Scholar, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO and Web of Science. Articles in Portuguese and English were used as selection criteria based on the descriptors from the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) and DeCS (Descriptors in Health Sciences): transsexualism OR sex reassignment procedures OR gender identity AND feminization OR masculinization. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 25 studies were included to compose this review. Facial transsexualizing procedures promote confirmation and reduction of gender incongruity in transsexual individuals. There is a great scarcity of studies with this group of patients resulting from social transphobia, therefore, it is necessary to promote the awareness and training of all health professionals with the aim of reducing stigma and prejudice through information and the creation of protocols. services that understand the needs of transgender women and men.