Dear oreos67,

There are many different types of sex reassignment surgery. Male to female (MTF) surgery generally involves removing the testicles and reforming penile tissue to create a vulva and a vagina. The head of the penis is sometimes reshaped into a clitoris. Successful MTF surgery means that a person is able to have penetrative intercourse and orgasms. However, MTF people do not get periods because they do not have the internal female organs (ovaries and a uterus) that allow a woman to menstruate.

Female to male (FTM) surgery is a little more complicated. It generally involves removing the breasts and creating a penis and scrotum. This can be done in a few ways. One method is to lengthen the clitoris through surgery and hormones. Another method is to create a penile prosthesis using the person's own body tissue as well as out of synthetic material. Some people also opt to have implants inserted in the tissue of the labia to form a fuller-feeling scrotum. FTM people do not ejaculate semen because they do not have the internal male organs that make ejaculation happen.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.