Hello, today we are answering the first question in the Dear JSTOR series – where you can ask us, via mail or message by starting your query with “Dear JSTOR”, anything about anything! Research, advice, the color blue, and we’ll try to help.
A user wrote in asking “is it true that there is only one study in existence on the effects of binding your chest (for trans men)?” Short answer: yes. Longer answer: there is other research on the effects of chest binding, however, there is only one that studied its affects on transgender men.
This study is the only one to address the effects of chest binding on trans men, however, it cites other studies that have examined the effects of binding for lactation suppression and gynaecomastia. For many trans men, “chest binding is considered a necessary rather than elective daily activity due to associated mental and emotional health benefits.”
The study participants were asked about how chest binding affected their mental health and “self-reported mental health effects were almost universally positive, with qualitative data indicating decreases in suicidality, anxiety and dysphoria and increased self-esteem, confidence and ability to go out safely in public.”
The study also found that trans men who chest bind universally reported at least one health side effect, which also seemed to correlate to the number of days and hours per day the binding was worn, and for how many years the person had been chest binding. Potential physical side effects can include: numbness, lightheadedness, fatigue and weakness, as well as skin sensitivities and issues. Those with less physical side effects seemed to bind for less time or used less intense methods (i.e., layered sports bras vs. commercial binders). The mental side effects of increased well-being and sense of self, however, need to be taken into consideration by doctors when discussing any potential negative side effects.
So now one of you should do another study!
Also, if you have questions about transgender healthcare, please visit the UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health: http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/
L.J.'s Obsessions 