Some people retransition on a temporary basis, while others do so permanently.

As withtransitioning, retransitioning is a process and not an event.

This article explains what retransition means and what it involves.

Rear view of a mother and daughter walking along a railway track in autumn, Goldstream, Vancouver Island, Canada

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It also looks at the current statistics about gender retransitioning and what a person who retransitions might expect.

Controversy Surrounding Desistance

Some of the most controversial studies involve a concept called desistance.

Moreover, not everyone who considers transitions experiences gender dysphoria.

“The same campaigners will often use the same arguments to reinforce widely held misconceptions about transition regret.

What Can I Expect in Retransitioning?

Individuals who retransition may not require any health care.

Those who have socially transitioned, may simply socially transition again.

They may just socially transition into a new role and/or stop using any ongoing gender-affirming hormone treatments.

Transfeminine individuals who have not had surgery and stop takingestrogenandspironolactonewill experiencerevirilization, which is the re-development of masculine characteristics.

If they have not undergone permanent hair removal, they will get hairier.

They may experience male pattern baldness.

They will likely return to having spontaneous erections.

However, they will not lose any facial hair they have grown.

Any voice and bone structure changes will also be permanent.

Patients who have hadtop surgerywill not regrow breasts if they have had a full mastectomy.

Any bottom growth (clitoral growth) will likely also remain.

Some individuals who retransition or detransition may seek out surgery to reverse changes they experienced during their initial transition.

There are not yet clear, evidence-based guidelines around when such surgeries are appropriate.

How Long Does Retransitioning Take?

As with transitioning, retransitioning is a process rather than an event.

As such, the process of revirilization or refeminization can take anywhere from several months to several years.

The affirmation may be temporary and permanent.

Retransition is a relatively uncommon occurrence.

American Psychiatric Association.What is gender euphoria?

Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality.