Bruce Jenner Sex Change Surgery Set This Summer? 5 Facts About Gender Reassignment

Bruce Jenner will go through with his sex reassignment. Sources close to the Olympic gold medalist have revealed that he has decided to go under the knife this summer.

Page Six reports that Jenner is seeing a therapist as part of the transition and will now double the sessions to twice a week to prepare for the operation this summer.

According to the site, a source close to Jenner states, "The therapy was required by the doctor that will be performing Bruce's sex change operation. And it has helped Bruce tremendously."

Sex reassignment is a serious decision. The list below compiles some facts that should be considered by people who wish to go under the knife.

Fact #1: Sex Change Surgery Price

According to the Washington Post, for a woman to get the full range of surgical procedures in order to change into a man, it will cost around $75,000. Meanwhile, for a man to change into a woman, prices range from $40,000 to $50,000.

Fact #2: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Are Different

Utexas.edu explains the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. Sexual orientation centers on a person's romantic attachments, whether or not they prefer men, women or both.

Meanwhile, gender identity focuses more on a person's internal preference, meaning if the person sees themselves more as male or female.

Fact #3: The First Step In Gender Reassignment

After deciding to go for a sex change, a meeting must be set up with a mental health professional for a diagnosis and psychotherapy, reports the Washington Post. This step was issued by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

Before hormone therapy, a doctor must diagnose the person with gender identity disorder or gender dysphoria and write a letter of recommendation for the patient.

Fact# 4: Hormones

The Washington Post says hormone therapy allows the body to transform according to the person's wishes. For women who identify more as males, hormones develop their secondary male sex characteristics, like body hair. While for men who identify themselves as female, hormones help their bodies appear more feminine.

Dr. Fred Ettner, a physician who helps people through gender reassignment, believes that hormone therapy does more than just change the appearance of bodies. He says, "The first effect is the brain effect."

The doctor explains that the hormones reduce dysphoria, which mean "generalized dissatisfaction with life", according to Merriam Webster. Transgender people are more satisfied with themselves during hormone therapy because the body and the brain begin to align, explains the Washington Post.

Fact #5: Transgender People Are Real Men and Women

There is a belief that transgender people are not real men or real women, reports Utexas.edu. However, the term gender is based on a person's gender identity, not a person's original sex organs. As a result, transgender people are real men and real women.