The Transgender Dictionary

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Nullification

(also: nullo, smoothie, teresex)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Traditionally, when someone who is not cisgender has a vaginectomy, this is accompanied by phalloplasty or metoidioplasty. Likewise, when someone has a penectomy and/or orchiectomy, this is accompanied by vaginoplasty. When someone undergoes a mastectomy or breast autmentation, they generally keep their nipples. In the case of someone seeking nullification surgery, the desired result is a smooth and flat appearance (though some individuals proudly prefer to have visible scars). Due to the nature of the results, these nullification procedures are also known as "smoothie" procedures.

Though it is extremely uncommon, for some people it causes gender dysphoria to have genitalia of any kind. People who undergo surgeries such as this (a removal surgery without a replacement) sometimes identify as nonbinary, neutrois, agender, eunuchs, or nullos. Some people who are interested in these surgeries do not identify as transgender, and some do not identify with any gender at all. Some still identify with binary labels such as transfeminine or transmasculine.

If you're an ally and you know someone who has undergone nullification surgery, and you're curious what their gender and pronouns are - ask. If you're curious about what that person's previous genitalia consisted of - that's none of your business.

For surgeries regarding obtaining unconventional genitalia, see salmacian. For more information on specific procedures, please click on the relevant underlined words, or use the alphabet button menu at the top of this page.

General Information

Nullification refers to when genitalia is removed but not replaced. That being said, a skilled surgeon is able to keep the relevant area an endogenous zone by "burying" the clitoris or glans underneath the skin. Some patients, however, have no interest in future sexual activity. Either way, the visual result is that of a urethra, an anus, and not much else (other than hair, unless the patient desires hair removal).

Patients must be 18 years of age or older for nullification surgeries. Most surgeons require that the patient provides 1-2 pre-operative letters from a mental health professional recommending surgery. Unlike other surgeries, evidence of having been on hormone therapy prior to surgery is not typically required. Surgeons will require that patients quit smoking prior to surgery, and have their physical health evaluated.

None of people, organizations, or ideas linked below have been sponsored, nor endorsed. The inclusion of these links is to provide further information and reading material for those who seek it. If you are looking to undergo surgery, please do as much research as possible on the surgery you are looking to undergo. Research your surgeon as much as possible, and look for real reviews from real people. The thoughts and views expressed in any of the articles below do not inherently reflect those of The Transgender Dictionary.

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