The female mid-life sex change applicant: a comparison with younger female transsexuals and older male sex change applicants.

This paper reports on a survey approach to the study of the aging (40 years of age and older) female requesting sex reassignment surgery (SRS). A profile of 13 cases presenting at a cross-section of gender identity clinics in North America is presented. The mid-life SRS applicant is also compared on selected characteristics with a younger female transsexual group and with the aging male sex change applicant. Findings suggest that the mid-life female SRS applicant is closely akin to the aging, conflicted homosexual, whereas the mid-life male SRS applicant appears more closely associated with the aging transvestite.