A 57-year-old trans woman from Australia deliberately burned her own penis in an extreme attempt to remove it. Feeling that she had been living in the wrong body, she sought medical help seven days after the incident, which caused a self-inflicted chemical burn injury. The details of how this occurred were not disclosed by the doctors who shared her story in a medical journal.
In Australia, gender-affirming surgeries, such as penis removal, are not covered by Medicare, the national public health insurance. This means that patients must undergo expensive private operations. Although some local health authorities offer clinics to connect patients with healthcare providers, these clinics often have long waiting lists. Trans women can undergo complex surgeries to remove their genitals and create an artificial vagina, while trans men may opt for procedures such as breast removal and phalloplasty.
The patient in question was transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney for a review of her urology and burns. Medical professionals discovered necrosis (dead tissue) at the tip of her penis, along with burns, swelling, and redness along the shaft. The exact date of the incident was not disclosed in the report. Prior to the injury, the patient had been receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to reduce male hormone levels. However, she had to discontinue this therapy after moving to a rural area.
Doctors conducted tests on the lining of her bladder, inserted a catheter to drain urine, and treated the wounds. Results showed that the necrosis had not spread to the urethra and bladder, but increasing levels of dead tissue were found during dressing changes. In response to escalating inflammation and limited options, the medical team performed an emergency partial penectomy. This procedure involves removing dead tissue and creating an opening for the urethra at the remaining 1cm penile stump. The team preserved as much of the patient’s urethra as possible for potential future gender surgery.
After eight days of monitoring, the patient was discharged and referred to a specialist in transgender surgeries. No complications were recorded following the operation. Australia is currently experiencing a shortage of surgeons skilled in lower body gender-affirming procedures. Surgical colleges also lack formal training guidelines, which compels doctors to seek education overseas. Trans health advocates have criticized Medicare for its lack of clarity regarding eligible gender-affirming surgeries and government subsidies.
In the UK, trans individuals can undergo gender-affirming surgery on the NHS after socially transitioning for at least one year. However, there are long waiting lists for these procedures. Private surgeries for gender reassignment in the UK can cost between £10,000 and £20,000, while the US price can reach up to $75,000 (£60,000). NHS data from last year revealed that 97% of gender-changing procedures performed were for male-to-female transitions.
Due to the complex and specialized nature of phalloplasty, there are approximately 2,000 trans men currently waiting in the UK for the creation of a penis. The lack of surgeons performing this procedure contributes to the extensive wait times. Benefit procedures available to trans individuals include breast augmentation, facial feminization surgery, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty, and voice feminization. Each of these surgeries has its own requirements, risks, and recovery processes.
In conclusion, the case of a trans woman intentionally burning her own penis highlights the challenges faced by transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming surgeries. Limited coverage and long waiting lists contribute to desperate measures and inadequate access to necessary healthcare services.
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