There are 2 genders
Sexual preference is not the same as sex or gender and will be the topic of another post. Sex and gender are genetics and identity. Sexual preference is what you do behind closed doors.
Femininity and masculinity are often thought of as societal constructs, shaped by cultural norms and expectations. However, there is an objective scientific aspect to gender, rooted in the hormones that regulate our bodies. Testosterone and estrogen are two hormones that play a significant role in determining if we feel feminine or masculine.
Testosterone is a steroid hormone that is primarily produced in the testes of men and the ovaries of women. It is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics, such as increased muscle mass and body hair. In addition, testosterone is also linked to increased aggression and libido. Men typically have higher levels of testosterone than women.
Estrogen, on the other hand, is a group of hormones that are primarily produced in the ovaries of women. It is responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics, such as breast development and a wider hip-to-waist ratio. Estrogen also plays a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and the growth and maintenance of the uterus. Women typically have higher levels of estrogen than men.
While these hormones are typically associated with one gender or the other, both men and women produce and respond to both testosterone and estrogen. The balance of these hormones in the body can affect if a person feels feminine or masculine. For example, a woman with higher levels of testosterone may feel more masculine, while a man with lower levels of testosterone may feel less masculine.
This hormonal balance can also be affected by external factors, such as stress and certain medications. Stress can lead to an increase in the production of the hormone cortisol, which can inhibit the production of testosterone and estrogen. Certain medications, such as birth control pills, can also affect the balance of these hormones in the body.
It’s worth noting that hormone levels can also change throughout a person’s life. For example, testosterone levels in men typically decrease as they age, leading to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat. Similarly, estrogen levels in women decrease during menopause, leading to a decrease in breast tissue and an increase in body fat.
Imbalances in hormone levels can have significant effects on a person’s physical and mental health. For example, low levels of estrogen in women can lead to osteoporosis and hot flashes, while high levels of testosterone in men can lead to acne and prostate cancer. Thus undergoing hormone therapy to “fix” one’s gender to align with their feelings may be detrimental and is inadvisable. Instead, we should look to balance their hormones.
I liken it to someone with body integrity dysphoria (a mental disorder characterized by a desire to have a sensory or physical disability or having discomfort with being able-bodied beginning in early adolescence and resulting in harmful consequences — Wikipedia). If someone feels like they shouldn’t have a left arm would you cut it off, or ask them to seek counseling?
