A psychological comparison of heterosexuals, transvestites, preoperative transsexuals, and postoperative transsexuals.

The psychological functioning of male heterosexuals, transvestites, preoperative transsexuals and postoperative transsexuals was assessed. The groups represented a gradient of progressive feminization which showed progressive levels of psychological dysfunction. The data indicated that the transsexuals studied were indicative of a select group demonstrating profound psychological dysfunction. The study contributes to the recent literature, which indicates that sex reassignment surgery for this group is not the treatment of choice. Criteria for projecting postoperative outcome are outlined which can be utilized to direct gender dysphoria patients to alternate treatments.