![]() Both of these studies are based on data from 1,800 responders to an online survey.Īcross both studies, the majority of people (89-97%) reported experiencing at least one negative symptom from chest binding (2,3). They were cross-sectional studies, observing a specific population (people who chest bind) at a specific point in time, and were published in 20. Two studies have been completed that focus specifically on people who bind. (Here’s a guide for finding a trans-friendly doctor and how to seek better care from the ones you do have.) There haven’t been many studies about the health effects of binding, so it’s important to listen to experiences of others, and to talk to your healthcare provider. Wearing binders that are too tight can cause underlying tissue and muscle damage, prevent free movement, and even restrict a person’s ability to breathe. Tightly covering the skin and chest with materials that don’t allow free-flowing air can create warm, moist environments for bacterial and fungal infections to develop. Like many things people do to modify their outward appearance (wearing high heels, or shaving facial hair), chest binding comes with some risks.īinding can affect skin, muscles, and movement, particularly over long periods of time. One study surveying people who bind reported that the average person bound their chest for around 10 hours per day, with the most popular methods being commercial chest binders, followed by sports bras, shirt or bra layering, and bandages or elastic materials (2). Some people bind only for special occasions, others every day. Others wear commercially-available binders specially designed for this purpose (2).Įveryone binds differently. People bind in many different ways: Some people wrap their chests with elastic bandages, some wear a sports bra, neoprene or athletic compression wear, or layer several sports bras or shirts. Binding can reduce gender dysphoria and improve mental health, but it can also cause negative physical health symptoms (2). ![]() So when you first try one on, put a shirt on before you decide you don't like how it looks.For some trans and non-binary people, breasts are a source of gender dysphoria, as they’re a visual reminder of a person’s birth-assigned sex (1). ![]() So the binders and compression tops are more geared toward that outcome.Īlso keep in mind that binders and compression tops like that, look good in a shirt, but usually look kind of doofy without a shirt on (except the ones that are designed to look like a shirt or tank top). Having a decent bra will help a lot anyway, but sports bras are trying to keep things from bouncing around, not trying to make them appear flatter or make them less visible. I got one of the compression tops from tomboyx to try it out and found it much more comfortable than a binder, with a similar effect (for me at least, I'm like a 34c ish). Do you also need sports bras for working out, or is this strictly daily wear?Ībsent that info, I would suggest getting one new sports bra and one compression top - they're more comfortable to wear longer periods than a binder, and if you aren't adamant that a binder is what you need, I'm guessing you won't find it's worth the discomfort.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |