Binders and breathing issues

[NameChangeinHaste]

This week in school I witnessed one of our NB female students, who also happens to have asthma, have an awful attack of shortness of breath. I can’t say if it was an asthma attack, though they did have their inhaler.
It only struck me last night that they may be wearing a binder, which will likely have exacerbated the attack.
I need to send an email to Head of Year, gently suggesting that if they are wearing one they may be linked.
Turns out we’re fully signed up to Stonewall, so dinners to tread carefully, though many colleagues are aware of my thoughts.
Does anyone know of only good links outlining the link between binding and breathing difficulties that I could attach to me email?
Many thanks.

I'm not sure someone would be happy to be referred to as "a 34G", sounds like something even The Sun would shy away from.
Maybe a 34 (space) G.

"I know a size 16 who works as a veterinary nurse"
Maybe not.

Indeed he is.

Cool, pass on my tips then

I assure you the man in question has absolutely no issues with how he was referenced, but your concern is appreciated!

Yeah I live in the physical real world

About 5000 official trans people in the uk

Uk gov top estimate of 500.000 trans people

So 250,000 transmen ( or there is a , cough , sex difference )

So about 3 people in a thousand , and most people have a social circle around 150 people , beyond that it's tricky to maintain meaningful relationships

I know 1 transman IRL. Youngster , so a bit more than expected

So if you know lots , especially lots of older ones , you know way above expected numbers based on population stats snd you should contact the uk government to help them find them

I assure you the man in question has absolutely no issues with how he was referenced, but your concern is appreciated!

Good to know. I'm glad the surgery went well.

We're still off topic :)

midgedude

I knew a few older transmen, but I'm a lesbian and so were they until they transitioned. I think the demographic skews young though, and a lot of younger transmen are "gay" (attracted to men) or asexual. It's two different groups of people really.

We're still off topic

Good point. What are some good alternatives to binding?

Depends on the individuals' needs. Some people with smaller chests can get away with a sports bra. Sometimes a good-quality binder is needed to achieve the desired effect. For older individuals, top surgery might be an option - although that's going to need a four-figure sum of money (and the first figure is likely to be >4) or a 4+ year waiting list.

The alternatives to binding include

Reducing the amount of press, advertising etc that commodifies women's body's and breasts

Stricter punishment for "oggling" and bra strap pulling in schools

Confidence building for girls

I also think research into why boobs get bigger and bigger , are we using too many disruptive hormones in good

Depends on the individuals' needs. Some people with smaller chests can get away with a sports bra. Sometimes a good-quality binder is needed to achieve the desired effect. For older individuals, top surgery might be an option

No, the need is for the distress to go away. The want is for the breasts to go away.
What actual alternatives are there to binding (apart from mastectomy which is obviously more damaging)?

And what happens when the binder comes off? Surely damaged, bruised sweaty painful breasts cause even more dysphoria? Hence the vicious circle, and the breaking of arbitrary guidelines about wearing for up to eight hours only (which is not based on anything).

A binder has to come off eventually, how can it be a useful tool? It's like taking paracetamol that makes your headache go away but eight hours later gives you a raging ear infection. Nobody would take it. It's a terrible idea.

@PlanDeRaccordement

Chest binding isn’t self harm if done properly and safely. Just like corset wearing isn’t self harm if you’re not tight lacing.

I don’t think having a chat with a teen about chest binding safety is making the school responsible. After all you have SRE that covers safety in relationships and safe sex...that doesn’t make the school vulnerable to legal action if a teen catches an STI. This is no different. It’s providing information to the teen.

And I would assume that having asthma somehow magically imbues teens with the knowledge of safe chest binding.

Here we go… again

Snekkes

^No, I'm not, I'll let this peer-reviewed publihed paper do that. Transition regret is extremely low (

Here's a screenshot of the mean age column.

The vast, vast majority of the other entries have a similar mean age. Very relevant to teenage females, I don't think.

And in case you're wondering, I can confirm that it refers to "transfemEnine" the whole way through. The peer-review process didn't pick up on that outrageous typo.

Or maybe it's a new piece of jargon. Who the hell knows.

@FlyingOink

And what happens when the binder comes off? Surely damaged, bruised sweaty painful breasts cause even more dysphoria? Hence the vicious circle, and the breaking of arbitrary guidelines about wearing for up to eight hours only (which is not based on anything).

A binder has to come off eventually, how can it be a useful tool? It's like taking paracetamol that makes your headache go away but eight hours later gives you a raging ear infection. Nobody would take it. It's a terrible idea.

My elder DD19 has a FtM transman friend that we have known since they were 13. He is currently on the waiting list for transition surgery. But for past six years has been successfully and safely practicing chest binding. It has not worsened his dysphoria, but have helped him feel comfortable out in public and also confirm to him that he is definitely a transman.

The advantage to chest binding (safely) is that the teen can experience whether having a male looking chest is actually what they want and feel comfortable living with. Double mastectomy is not something I’d want a teen to decide on without having done chest binding first to see how they really feel as it is nonpermanent.

A certain number of females who identify as nonbinary later go on to identify as a woman or a man, while others stay nonbinary. The teen years are one of exploring your sexuality and gender identity. There are also trans individuals who later decide not to have surgery. Chest binding is a nonpermanent way to mimic the after effects of top surgery without the commitment to a double mastectomy and greatly assists them in making a decision with less chance of regret.

Sure, but 'non permanent' does not necessarily equal 'without harm'

@ArabellaScott

Sure, but 'non permanent' does not necessarily equal 'without harm'

I think you mean “risk of harm” As with anything adult in nature that teens are gradually exposed to, it is a balancing act between physical and mental health.

@ArabellaScott

Sure, but 'non permanent' does not necessarily equal 'without harm'

A tourniquet is non-permanent. If left in position for too long or for a number of other reasons, there may be both short and long-term adverse events (harms) from the application of the tourniquet.

Substance use disorder is another obvious example.

Christ.

There may be some guidance from Occupational therapists on the use of "bear Hugs" which are binder like deep pressure vests that are used to calm a child or adult with autism if it's found to be helpful.

However there are Very strict guidelines. They're prescribed in different ways for each child. A child who used one this week I know of at work only had it on for a few minutes as he was v distressed. It was briefly tried but the instructions were that it was taken off if didn't help within a couple of minutes. Obviously a child can hyper ventilate when v distressed. Sometimes the bear hug can calm and help.

Other children I've seen use it can only use it for strictly specified periods of time.

I would imagine a child with asthma might not be allowed to use it but I can't confirm.

Thomasin who is a detransitioner and briefly joined the detrans voices (now prefers to just get on with her life) suffers chronic costochronditis from her bonding.

Bear hug guidance, note only for 20 mins.

Doesn't mention asthma unfortunately.

Sorry www.covkidsot.co.uk/download_files/3380zazeuxa3l8wtuu3t1e9.pdf

It has not worsened his dysphoria, but have helped him feel comfortable out in public and also confirm to him that he is definitely a transman.

But where is the control experiment? What if gradually getting used to a female shape through the teenage years would have worked instead, rather than essentially retaining a child's shape?

There is more than one way to cook eggs