While the term is still used in specific adult contexts, academic and social write-ups often contrast this "fantasy-based" body standard with the lived reality of trans people.

Many trans individuals use specific strength training routines to accentuate or soften certain features (such as building glutes/hips or broadening shoulders) to match their personal aesthetic goals.

Like any other demographic, fitness and health play a role in how "perfection" is framed.

Using fashion and makeup to highlight features that make the individual feel most like themselves.

It is important to note that terms like "shemale" are widely considered slurs or derogatory within the LGBTQ+ community, often rooted in the adult film industry and the historical fetishization of trans women.