There's a lot of misinformation out there
about what it means to be transgender,
but recently, scientists
have begun to look more closely
into the neurology,
physiology and psychology behind it.
So today, we're going to break down
what science does know
in a respectful and educational way.
Hey, guys, I'm Gigi Gorgeous
and today I'm here with AsapSCIENCE
to break down
the science of being transgender.
Before we get too deep into it,
we have to look at your genetic sex
or the chromosomes you have.
These were determined
right at fertilization,
when the sperm cell from your father,
which carries an X or a Y chromosome,
fused with the egg from your mother,
which carries an X chromosome.
But until six or seven weeks
after fertilization,
both XY and XX embyos
have identical gonads.
Around seven weeks,
the male sex organs start to develop
because of a gene
on the Y chromosome called SRY.
It causes cells to become more specialized
and these cells create testosterone,
which in turn triggers the development
of structures like the penis and scrotum,
while other cells block female development
by degenerating the female ducts.
However, in female development,
because there is no Y chromosome
with the SRY gene,
these ducts stay intact
and become the uterus, cervix,
upper vagina and the oviduct,
with the help of estrogen and chemicals
secreted by the early kidney.
But it's not always that simple.
There are sometimes
even rare combinations like XXY,
XXX, XXYY, etcetera,
and even people with XX chromosomes
that develop
male genitals and characteristics,
due to a piece of the Y chromosome
breaking off
and switching places to an X chromosome.
But sexual differentiation in the brain
actually happens much later
than gonadal differentiation.
And yes, although controversial,
male and female brains
have structural and functional differences
between each other.
Studies have found that males
generally have a larger cerebrum,
cerebellum, and hippocampus,
while females
have higher-density left frontal lobes
and larger volumes
in the right frontal lobes.
So what exactly do we see
when we look at the brain
of a transgender person?
Several studies
have shown that transgender brains
are both structurally
and functionally more similar
to their experienced gender identity
than their biological sex.
One study found that trans women who,
despite being assigned male at birth,
had a smaller female-sized structure
in the hypothalamus.
MRI scans also show
the brain structures of trans people
to be more similar in thickness
to their experienced gender
and not their sex.
Finally, the pheromone androstadienone
causes different hypothalamic responses
in male and female brains.
And when individuals with gender dysphoria
were exposed to it,
the hypothalamic response
matched their perceived gender
rather than their sex.
These studies help to highlight
how masculinization
or feminization of the gonads
is not always the same as the brain
and that there's a difference
between your sex or your anatomy
and your gender
or how we perceive our own bodies.
There also seems to be a genetic component
to transgender identity.
Looking at family histories,
gender identity incongruence
seems to run in the family,
meaning they may be inherited.
The CYP17 gene, which controls
the body's level of sex hormones,
has a changed
that is expressed frequently in trans men.
Although more research could be done,
scientists are currently looking
at over three million DNA markers
for transgender identity
to investigate any genetic link for being trans.
Even though scientific studies validate
the experience of transgender people,
they're still suffering
from more depression and anxiety
than the general public.
The risk of suicide
is more prominent in transgender people
who have been rejected by their family,
discriminated in the workplace
or in health care.
Suicide risks seem to decrease
after gender transitioning,
suggesting that gender dysphoria
can cause an extreme amount
of emotional pain,
even to the point of suicide.
If you, a family member or a friend
is suffering from gender dysphoria,
there are a few links in the description
for more information.
Thank you so much, Gigi,
for being part of this video.
It means so much, and we're happy
that you were here to do this with us.
Thank you guys
for using your channel, your platform,
validating transgender experiences
with science,
which just brings us closer to equality.
Absolutely. If you guys
want to check out Gigi's channel,
we'll put links in the description
or on the screen somewhere.
Otherwise, you can subscribe
for more science here,
every week, and we'll see you next time.
Peace!