A 30-year-old woman who spent six and a half years living as a man has now transitioned back to living as a woman. Alia Ismail, from Detroit, Michigan, went through multiple surgeries and laser treatments to complete her detransition.
Alia first decided to transition to a man in May 2015. She started taking testosterone and had breast removal surgery. She also changed her name to Issa and developed masculine features, including a deeper voice, a beard, and more muscle growth.
In February 2021, after three years of living as a man, Alia realized she would be happier as a woman. She started her breast reconstruction in January 2024 and finished it by the end of the year. Now, after completing her laser hair removal, she feels her detransition is done. “I can finally focus on my daily life now,” she said.
Alia explained that she didn’t feel as comfortable being seen as male as she once thought she would. “I realized I didn’t want to take testosterone forever and couldn’t see myself growing old as a man,” she shared. Looking back, she believes her gender dysphoria was connected more to body image issues rather than her actual identity. “At first, I felt great,” she said. “But as I became more masculine, it started to feel overwhelming.”
Ultimately, Alia made the decision that felt best for her. “I just knew I wanted to be a woman again and feel more feminine,” she said. Although she has faced criticism from some in the transgender community, she hopes to help others struggling with their identity. “I’ve experienced many phases of gender expression,” she explained.
Alia says she realized she could stop taking hormones and still be herself. “It was a relief when I knew I could detransition,” she shared. Now, she wants to support others on their journeys, no matter what they choose.
