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[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

I've wondered about this, too. It's evident that total sex development has a greater impact on the body than do hormones alone, at least at crucial times. I'm curious if most non-trans women and men would compete with the opposite sex only if everything about their body were physiologically the same except for reproductive genitalia, although it almost sounds like this doesn't exist judging from what others are saying here and from my own limited understanding. It's almost indicative that, yes, it really is impossible to change total physiological functioning (not just reproductive) to the opposite sex. There just doesn't seem to be a totally fair way to incorporate trans athletes. Divisions/leagues/teams/games designed specifically to accommodate trans people would probably be the best compromise to allow for trans peoples' participation, but maybe it would be a better idea to use the snafu as impetus to further justify and promote better treatments, research, preventative medicine and cures to really improve quality of life overall. Sorry, this was a lot of speculation and possibly not very helpful.

[–]BiologyIsReal[S] 7 insightful - 3 fun7 insightful - 2 fun8 insightful - 3 fun -  (3 children)

That is the problem, though, women and men are not phisiological the same even if we exclude the reproductive system of our analysis. Like other users had said, it's not only about current levels of testosterone but PAST levels of testosterone and the fact we're genetically different (i.e. males are XY and females XX). Surgeries and exogenus hormones won't change that. Besides sports, medicine is other area where those differences are notable, like for example the different way women and men are affected by COVID. I've not finished reading it yet, but so far I think this review gives a good summary of sex development and sex differences (certain phrases like "assigned sex at birth" notwithstanding...). It may be too academic, though.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Thank you so much for sharing that review, I'm interested and curious enough to throw on a mortarboard along with my fanciest pair of glasses and give this a read! 🙂

[–]BiologyIsReal[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Well, I learned I new word today! I've to look up what mortarboard meant because I figured out mortars didn't fit in this context. I never knew how those hats were called, nor even in my natal tongue.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I actually couldn't remember if it was just "mortar" or "mortarboard" so I had to look it up too 😂 Language is a hoot!