Women
Examining Dangers Of Sex Change
Cross section of women in cultural attire during a public function in Port Harcourt, recently.
Medical experts ob
serve that in spite of the risks and the cost implication of gender re-assignment –sex change — some people still crave for it for various reasons.
Stephanie Adaralegbe, a Nigerian, who was reported to have undergone trans-gender process, insists that “man was chemical and if estrogen therapy could do wonders to the body of man, then medical science could perform more wonders on the body of man.”
Observers however note that, to some extent, men and women feel that they are physically a different sex than they are mentally and emotionally.
According to them, with this mindset, they seek to alter their sex irrespective of cost and the risks involved in the surgery.
They, nonetheless, agree that sex re-assignment can only be done on the outer part of the body because it is impossible to alter natural human attributes.
Corroborating this viewpoint, psychologists posit that as much as some people would like to change their sex, their way of reasoning cannot change.
“It is just like being a male in a female’s body, you know deep down that you are a male,” they observe.
Prof. Paul McHugh, the former Head of Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University, notes that “people who think that gender re-assignment surgery will solve all their emotional and social problems are likely to be disappointed.
“These patients had much the same problems with relationships, work, and emotions as before.
“The hope that they would emerge now from their emotional difficulties to flourish psychologically had not been fulfilled,” he said.
In another dimension, psychologists note that people undergo sex re-assignment surgery to become a centre of attention and live a sexy life.
“The thinking is that this will automatically turn them into the opposite sex when they decide to become a woman or man,” they observe.
Irrespective of reasons that may be given for undergoing the surgery, Dr Joy Adeyemi, a private medical practitioner in Abuja, warned against it.
She said that so far the female to male change or vice versa would undergo hormonal therapy, there were side effects.
“The hormonal therapy and surgery impair fertility but what some do is that they fix their sperm and eggs before the procedure to have kids later.
“The large percentage tends to have social and emotional satisfaction as well but medical side effects are mostly from hormone-change therapy.
“Most men and women in this present generation are unsatisfied with their sex and they undergo sex transition not minding its numerous side effects,” she said.
Allergist and Immunologist Bethany Gibson, Fellow, University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, said that the therapy could create a situation in which in girls, it would suppress menses due to lack of estrogen and; in boys, would block the development of fertility due to lack of testosterone.
“Pubertal growth will be inhibited by hormone treatment, while the fusion of the growth plates in long bones will be delayed.
This is not a problem for male to female patients because women are approximately 12 centimetre shorter than males on the average.
“The therapy may interfere with accumulation of bone mass normally seen during puberty due to sex hormone exposure.
“However, studies have demonstrated that these levels increase to normal values during cross-sex hormone treatment and preserve bone mineral density,” she observed.
She also observed that blood pressure increased slightly, and there was also a slight increase on arterial stiffness.
“Other statistically significant changes that negatively affect cardiovascular health in female to male trans-sexuals are increased cholesterol and decreased insulin sensitivity, among others.
“It should be noted, however, that overall cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in both male to female and female to male trans-sexuals was not elevated,” she said, quoting a research work.
Also, research by doctors in UK, published in PatientPlus, has shown that although the outcome of gender re-assignment has shown to improve the well-being and quality of life, it has its risks.
“Studies have reported higher mortality rates in trans-sexual individuals as well as higher rates of suicide and psychiatric morbidity.
“These rates are higher irrespective of whether gender-related surgery has taken place.
“Surgical complications may include necrosis, fistulae, stenosis, urinary problems, anorgasmia and poor cosmetic result.
“Side effects of hormonal treatment may be a problem; minimisation of risks requires lifelong monitoring,” the research noted.
By and large, researchers insist that gender re-assignment patient’s satisfaction should be separated from negative outcomes.
They note that this will provide more understanding of sex re-assignment procedures.
They, nonetheless, warn that people should be skeptical and refuse to accept emotionally motivated claims to support gender re-assignment.
Faith Edward writes for News Agency of Nigeria. (NAN).
Faith Edward
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
