MTF Transgender Women and BPH (A Men's Health and Pride Month Topic)

A transgender woman is a person who was born biologically male (of the male sex) with male sexual organs, who then transitions to represent their true selves, the female gender. MTF (male to female) refers to the transition from a person with male biology to a person who affirms their gender as female. Sometimes what we tend to forget is, regardless of whether or not a transgender woman has undergone gender-affirmation surgery or hormone therapy, she may still have a prostate gland. As transgender women get older, there have been cases reported of prostate health issues arising. This is why knowing about conditions in the prostate such as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), the medical term for prostate enlargement, is relevant to not only men.

June is Men's Health Month and Pride Month. Men's Health Month raises awareness of conditions related to mental health, the prostate, testicles, and penis because these are conditions known to affect the male biology. In addition Pride Month celebrates the progress of the LGBT community as well as offers support during difficult times of mental health, societal issues, and physical health as well. Women are also very much a part of the men's health community because the men in their lives also need women's support. Not only that, but transgender women may have biologically male anatomy, so the knowledge spread in Men's Health Month can serve to benefit them as well. 

BPH is usually accompanied by uncomfortable lower urinary tract symptoms known as LUTS, which include frequent urination, poor or slow urinary flow, struggle to start and stop flow, pushing or straining, sensation of remaining urine in the bladder, urges, hesitancy, and incontinence. Sexual dysfunction may also occur. Not many people know this condition by the name BPH, but getting up at night frequently to go to the bathroom and the aforementioned urinary discomfort by prompt a visit to the doctor, followed by a BPH diagnosis. 

Healthy lifestyle modifications and practices for bladder relief may support those who have mild BPH, as well as natural complementary treatments which clinically backed data to support BPH patients. 

If you're a transgender woman, although you may not like to think about having a male gland like the prostate, it's important that you take care of all areas of your health so you can continue to live in your truth and live a good quality of life!