Transsexuals' life satisfaction after gender transformation operations

Backround. More and more frequently, the registration of life satisfaction is being used to evaluate different medical treatments. So far, there have been only few such surveys on transsexuals (TS). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the general and the health-related life satisfaction of transsexuals after gender transformation operations. Patients and methods. Forty patients took part in this German cross-sectional study. The Questions on Life Satisfaction Module (FLZ) and free questions on different aspects of the new gender identity were used as measuring instruments. Results. Of the TS studied, 85-95% were very satisfied or satisfied with the results of their gender transformation operation in respect to gender identity. The TS were significantly less satisfied (P > 0.001) in overall general life satisfaction than the general population. In overall FLZ scores for health-related life satisfaction, no differences were seen. Conclusion. These data indicate a discrepancy between subjective satisfaction with new gender identity and current life situation, and they identify problems with life satisfaction.