Male and Female Brains: What's The Difference?

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There's nothing particularly different between male and female brains except in size and hormonal influence. One simply "knows" it's male, and one "knows" it's female. And, of course, everything in between or neither.

Brain and body development also happen in their own phases. If the brain of a biological male does not get the correct wash of testosterone during neurological development then gender identity becomes misaligned. If the brain of a biological female receives too much testosterone then gender identity becomes misaligned.

But ultimately, it's really not so black-and-white, and pinning down every specific change in development isn't quite possible just yet. Neuroscience still has a long way to go. Differences in development don't always mean someone will turn out transgender. Sometimes it's just an issue of which hemisphere becomes more dominant while no changes in gender identity occur. It's fascinating, the brain.

But again, identity is isolated. Knowing who you are, despite what body you were born in, really has no special awareness. If a man's consciousness is transferred to a woman's brain he wouldn't suddenly go "ah ha! I see it clearly now!" He would most likely just feel very uncomfortable and demand to be put back in his own head immediately.

Anyway, just a random thought. I think if a human mind was transferred into a cybernetic humanoid then the sense of awareness would most definitely be different. Thoughts?

[Edge]

I definitely agree.

[Deleted]

Interesting article.
They used to treat prostate cancer with estrogen, stopped it, the guys couldn't handle the hormones.

I'm DES formed, textbook DES ts characteristics. The ones they don't want exposed.

The after of brain on e or t is interesting. But the before to me even more so.

Why would 40 years of t not make my brain male? Or did it at some level?

Why is my affinity for e so high?

My endo thinks I have lots of hungry e receptors in my brain. That non ts natal men do not.

The more physical proof we have, the easier it is for me to counter the religious bigotry and doctrines.

That's another discussion somewhere else later.

My marriage would be over without the smoking gun of DES exposure. It's harder for other ts to explain the physical mind needs...

More data...anything we can use to fight with is good.

[Deleted]

May 18, 2015 20:53:33 GMT 8 Trinity said:

Interesting article.
They used to treat prostate cancer with estrogen, stopped it, the guys couldn't handle the hormones.

I'm DES formed, textbook DES ts characteristics. The ones they don't want exposed.

The after of brain on e or t is interesting. But the before to me even more so.

Why would 40 years of t not make my brain male? Or did it at some level?

Why is my affinity for e so high?

My endo thinks I have lots of hungry e receptors in my brain. That non ts natal men do not.

The more physical proof we have, the easier it is for me to counter the religious bigotry and doctrines.

That's another discussion somewhere else later.

My marriage would be over without the smoking gun of DES exposure. It's harder for other ts to explain the physical mind needs...

More data...anything we can use to fight with is good.

Studies have shown that our brains were simply not fully masculinised, and despite the amount that it was still isn't enough to cause or maintain a sense of male identity.

I like that t-shirt that says "I SURVIVED TESTOSTERONE POISONING". That's essentially what it felt like, especially after starting HRT. I don't feel on edge anymore. 33 years of it was quite enough. I think all of these transphobic jerks need a Freaky Friday. Then we could turn enemies into allies overnight!

[EchelonHunt]

I find it weird that even having low testosterone levels pre-T... that my male identity was as solid as ever - perhaps having a lack of our respective hormones isn't an indicator of gender identity but having too much of the incorrect hormones are?

Low testosterone made me sensitive to the spikes of the other hormones (progesterone, estrogen, etc.), as a result, I would experience violent mood swings and suicidal tendencies in the days leading up to my period. It was awful but at the same time, it was bizarre how I caught onto the predictable pattern yet there was nothing I could do to control or stop it. It wasn't until I got on testosterone that the mood swings and suicidal tendencies melted away, as if they never existed in the first place.

While my years of enduring mood swings and suicidal thoughts was psychologically challenging, it was an example of a hell I do not want to go back to. I would have extreme moments of feeling absolutely nothing to feeling everything intensified tenfold. Now, on T, I am more calm than I have ever been0. I can still feel, get teary but my emotions are more easily manageable. I get over things more quickly than dwelling on it. It's great, it feels like this was the way it was supposed to be. It feels right.

[Deleted]

May 18, 2015 23:08:07 GMT 8 EchelonHunt said:

I find it weird that even having low testosterone levels pre-T... that my male identity was as solid as ever - perhaps having a lack of our respective hormones isn't an indicator of gender identity but having too much of the incorrect hormones are?

Low testosterone made me sensitive to the spikes of the other hormones (progesterone, estrogen, etc.), as a result, I would experience violent mood swings and suicidal tendencies in the days leading up to my period. It was awful but at the same time, it was bizarre how I caught onto the predictable pattern yet there was nothing I could do to control or stop it. It wasn't until I got on testosterone that the mood swings and suicidal tendencies melted away, as if they never existed in the first place.

While my years of enduring mood swings and suicidal thoughts was psychologically challenging, it was an example of a hell I do not want to go back to. I would have extreme moments of feeling absolutely nothing to feeling everything intensified tenfold. Now, on T, I am more calm than I have ever been0. I can still feel, get teary but my emotions are more easily manageable. I get over things more quickly than dwelling on it. It's great, it feels like this was the way it was supposed to be. It feels right.

It's amazing how that works, isn't it? My moods have stabilised, and I don't get irritated nearly as easily. It's like the older I got, the worse it got. I'd say it's quite an indicator that gender identity is neurological rather than entirely psychological.

One day, neurologists will provide irrefutable evidence. Many trans voices might say it shouldn't matter, that we should be treated fairly, anyway; and while that's true it's not enough for any real and effective influence towards gaining recognition, respect, equality, and necessary medical treatment. It's already a large consensus that gender affirmative surgeries are not cosmetic, so we just need that extra bit of knowledge to make sure that these things are covered by insurance whether premium or federal.

I know that with certain facial procedures I will be far more passable, and I want that for my own peace of mind, not to placate to society. I know that with GRS I will feel far more genuine in this body, and I certainly don't want it for anyone else's satisfaction. I just hope we come that far before I'm 40. I know not everyone here is near my age, and that it really doesn't matter what age you are; but when you're young you want to maintain that, and be who you are sooner than later.

I'm actually surprised at how quickly I was able to see an endocrinologist and get HRT, especially since I'm in Texas. I'm very grateful for that, because I know many are still waiting or having to deal with gatekeepers. I was lucky enough to bypass that for informed consent. I hope I'm just as lucky with everything else. I hope we all get what we need ASAP. Living a lie is debilitating.

Anyway, there I go rambling...