[hoselover]

This theory tallies partly with a supposition that I have heard which is that some of us have been caused or at least triggered by the hormone treatments taken to help prevent miscarriage during pregnancy, particularly those administered in the 50's and 60's.

This has always seemed plausible to me, particularly as I have recently learned, purely by accident, that my Mum was one of these who, after losing a number of babies prematurely, had been taking this preventative treatment whilst pregnant with me. Which hormones were involved, I haven't yet accurately determined.

I don't hold it against her in the slightest, far from it... I may not even be here had she not been trying, what was then, somewhat experimental treatments.


Miranda

I know my mother used medicines after several miscarriages. She tried to become pregnant from 1961 until second half of the 60’s when I was born. My father was doctor and could subscribe all what was available so probably they used something that was available but possibly a bit experimental. For years I think this might cause my female site: I like lingerie and female clothes, dislike all the body hair, should love to have boobs, etc.

[sfem]

The video is excellent. Thank you for finding and linking it here. If you haven't watched all of it, take the time to do so. Don't be afraid to pause it and actually read the slides (she says lots of things not shown on the slides, and the slides have data not mentioned in her oral presentation) and view some of the referenced supporting documents. There is a ton of information there for anyone who puts in the time to review it and reflect on it.
I find it interesting that the brain gender, as well as other sexual characteristics, is irreversibly developed by the 12th week of gestation. Late T does not play a role in this if it was not there in the first 12 weeks. Later T appears to have some role(s) if T was present in the first 12 weeks. I also found the frank discussion of sex organ development to be clear and very useful in understanding that aspect of physical development. The discussion of the possible reasons for the observed higher incidence of LGBT amongst people with older brothers was thought provoking. The topic of childhood abuse (not sexual in my case, just behavioural) in various forms triggered some memory associations for me which was a surprise to me. That is one I am still making mental connections with. And there were several other topics raised which stimulate reflection for me.
I like how she made no attempts to tie gender expression to any sort of medical definition, and simply acknowledged it is a form of discrimination that should be fought against.
It is well worth the hour or so of your time it takes to watch and listen.

[GoneGirl]

Thank you, sfem, for your summary of some of the key points made in the video and your encouraging others to watch it. I have watched it twice and certain sections yet again. Dr. O'Hanlan's description of scientific evidence of the effect of the timing and amounts of testosterone on gender brain organization during the first 12 weeks of gestation is compelling. It provides a powerful argument for refuting the widely held notion that one's sex and gender are determined solely by the presence or absence of the Y chromosome, rather than by what occurs in those first 12 weeks of fetal development following conception.

Origins of Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Clara

[Lenneth]

one of my own suspicions is that some of the chemicals we & our parents are exposed to all our life's may play a significant part, a great deal of them are known to be endocrine disruptors & inert/toxic hormone mimics. some Hypothetically even have the potential to alter/damage DNA.

excellent video btw so-far.
(watching it now)

[GoneGirl]

Lenneth, no doubt environmental chemicals play a role, but transgender people have existed back to ancient times. It's a natural variation in the pre-natal development of the fetus. Like O'Hanlan says nature does everything on a spectrum. We have to stop thinking of gender variance as a defect in people. It's not.

Clara

[sfem]

one of my own suspicions is that some of the chemicals we & our parents are exposed to all our life's may play a significant part...

The environmental factors affect development of both the fetus, and the individual after birth, no doubt. But I think the main thrust of the doctor's comments are that no such disruptors are necessary to produce humans with a wide variety of sex and gender characteristics. In other words, there is no need to find out what "went wrong". Being a unique individual does not require that anything "went wrong".

[myboobs]

Lenneth, no doubt environmental chemicals play a role, but transgender people have existed back to ancient times. It's a natural variation in the pre-natal development of the fetus. Like O'Hanlan says nature does everything on a spectrum. We have to stop thinking of gender variance as a defect in people. It's not.

Clara

Forgive me if I am wrong , but my understanding is some have slight gene variation while others are affected during foetus development by mother's hormones . I do believe I have read somewhere that this became evident during ww2 , when pregnant women suffered extreme stress .

[Lenneth]

Lenneth, no doubt environmental chemicals play a role, but transgender people have existed back to ancient times. It's a natural variation in the pre-natal development of the fetus. Like O'Hanlan says nature does everything on a spectrum. We have to stop thinking of gender variance as a defect in people. It's not.

Clara

oh i know that, i'm just saying it might be an additional factor adding on to things.

[sfem]

Forgive me if I am wrong , but my understanding is some have slight gene variation while others are affected during foetus development by mother's hormones . I do believe I have read somewhere that this became evident during ww2 , when pregnant women suffered extreme stress .

Did you watch the video?

[Stacie]

don't forget the role heredity plays.. recent research shows that the gene for the androgen receptor is longer than normal in many trans people.
"Studies in cells show the longer version of the androgen receptor gene works less efficiently at communicating the testosterone message to cells,"
'More feminised brain'
The researchers suggest reduced androgen and androgen signalling contributes to the female gender identity of male to female transsexuals.

"It is possible that a decrease in testosterone levels in the brain during development might result in incomplete masculinisation of the brain in male to female transsexuals, resulting in a more feminised brain and a female gender identity," they say.