Feminizing Hormonal Therapy For The Transgendered [Paperback]

Dr. Sheila Kirk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Feminizing Hormonal Therapy For The Transgendered, the most highly-read and recommended book on the feminization of the transgendered, has been expanded and updated to include the most effective feminizing hormonal regimens and recent research findings. Vital, accurate and insightful information on safe and effective hormonal regimens, realistic expectations and possible complications are candidly addressed by gynecologic surgeon, Sheila Kirk, MD. Natural hormones, measurement and self-exam guidelines and answers to the most commonly asked questions are also featured.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sheila Kirk, MD, made history by forming the only surgical and medical center developed and directed by a transsexual surgeon in the World. In that capacity, Dr. Kirk, a board-certified gynecologic surgeon, specializes in Sex Reassignment Surgery and related surgeries.

Dr. Kirk is the first transsexual surgeon to be elected to the board of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association. In that capacity, she has co-established a committee of Advocacy and Liaison to encourage better communication and understanding of the healthcare needs of her community and the HBIGDA professionals who administer their care.

Sought after as a leading authority on Trans surgery and medicine, Dr. Kirk lectures extensively at universities, medical conferences and symposiums both nationally and internationally. A noted author, she has written numerous books, articles and research findings on transgender medical and surgical care.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Together Lifeworks (August 1, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 1887796045
• ISBN-13: 978-1887796040
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,519,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You can't judge a book by its cover, February 23, 2005

By 

D. K. Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feminizing Hormonal Therapy For The Transgendered (Paperback)

Sheila Kirk's editorial review here at Amazon wholly misrepresents her book Feminizing Hormones for the Transgendered. By failing to identify her intended audience in her product description she oversells what she has to offer. The book is at best a fair basic primer for those who might be considering beginning hormone replacement therapy, or for someone merely curious about it, but it's of little use to anyone who has already begun HRT and is looking for hard data to help understand lab results and an endocrinologist's actions.

In her product description Dr. Kirk promises "the most effective feminizing hormonal regimens" and "[v]ital, accurate and insightful information on safe and effective hormonal regimens," but what she delivers is general information and a caveat to see your endocrinologist. She touts "measurement and self-exam guidelines," which I construed to mean hormone-related information such as reference levels and lab results analyses, but which turned out to be simple how-to essays about measuring breast size and performing breast self-exams. In effect, what Dr. Kirk provides in her book is the most basic information, which can easily be found in greater detail on any number of legitimate websites (transgendercare.com, annelawrence.com, et al). There's certainly precious little in her rather spottily edited book that I would consider "vital and insightful."

Being unable to locate this book anywhere but at Amazon I had to purchase it sight unseen, my only guide to its content being what Dr. Kirk herself wrote about her own work. Imagine my chagrin when I read on page 14, "The information compiled here for your review and education is presented in simple language purposefully for your complete understanding.... I will try very hard not to burden you with that kind of detail." Aside from the apparent disdain for her readers' intelligence reflected here and throughout the text, I believe this in all fairness is what should have been posted as a product description.

I'm feeling a bit put out that I spent $16.95 for something that has proven to be of no practical use to me. I wrote to Dr. Kirk to express my disappointment and request a refund; however, not surprisingly, I didn't hear back from her.

At the very least, [...]should provide a product description here at Amazon that more accurately reflects the content of her book so that others may know what they're buying.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I wouldn't recommend this book, July 10, 2009

By 

T. Barnes "htlba" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feminizing Hormonal Therapy For The Transgendered (Paperback)

Like several other readers, this book doesn't do a person justice who is seeking out information on hormonal treatments. It doesn't matter that she is a part of WPATH, I've found that not everyone there are 'experts' on TRANS. In fact, she falls terribly short. It is sad that she doesn't get into specifics but generalizes and talks down to the reader. When you are transitioning, you want the facts, not sugar coated mumbo jumbo.

And she may be the first transsexual surgeon to be elected to the board of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association but she can't and doesn't hold a candle, much less anything else, to Marci Bowers.

If you want information, visit her website. She's the best and she pulls no punches. She tells it like she sees it.

Many medical professionals use the WPATH as a framework and more are becomming progressive in how they use that framework allowing for their patients to have more of a say as to when they go on hormones as well as other decisions. The really good ones can do this and still make sure that the TRANS patient is protected during their transition.

2 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars TRANSGENDERED EVALUATION, October 19, 2005

By 

Julia G. "Julia G." (Coral Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feminizing Hormonal Therapy For The Transgendered (Paperback)

I found this book to be very informative and interesting. But, it is written in medical clinical terminology too much, which is too deep for the average person. There could have been more exposure on the power of phytoestrogens and the power of positive suggestion; in order for the male to feminize his body and mind that much more. All medical doctors are partial to what they know, and also they are very pedantic. Also, there could be more positive encouragement of feminization with the general male population.