Attisgalli Corrective Draughts:
Various spells and potions have been used to adjust a wix’s physical form for centuries (most famously the Iphisinstaurabo spell, still taught today in upper level Transfiguration classes for its elegant craftsmanship and historical merit despite the impracticality of its brief duration). Without question however, the most widely-used gender reassignment potion is the Attisgalli Corrective Draught – or to be more correct, draughts, because there are two distinct variations of this brew: one which alters the physical biology of those presumed male who are at heart female, and one which does the same for the corresponding situation.
The differences in recipe between these two variations are minor but crucial, and thus both variants are sold and prescribed under the same name with a simple notation indicating whether it is to be used by male or female-identifying subjects.
Both variants of the Attisgalli Corrective Draught are furthermore brewed in two distinct doses: the first is a weaker dose which must be taken regularly on a weekly or bi-monthly basis and which, over time, spurs a gradually-increasing psychical alteration in the subject in a process that in many ways mirrors the natural puberty that it often substitutes for. Colloquially referred to as the “Children’s Corrective Dose,” this potion is widely used by children and adolescents who are not comfortable with the gender their birth assigned them and who wish to adjust their bodies to better match the societal standards of the other of the two most common genders.
The second dose is a stronger, most lasting brew which is taken on gradually-increasing intervals starting at twice-yearly doses and building up to maintenance doses taken every five to seven years. This potion is colloquially referred to as either the “Adult’s Corrective Dose” or the “Permanent Corrective Dose,” but neither term is accurate; the potion is not permanent, and should furthermore only be imbibed by those who have previously completed a regular regimen of the weaker dose regardless of their age.
Taking the second, stronger dose without first acclimatizing the body through regular use of the weaker dose (mediwix recommend at least three years, although five is preferred) risk putting oneself under dangerous, potentially fatal strain as the intensity of the changes all at once is considerable. A body that has been acclimatized to the lower dose for several years and then temporarily deprived of the potion (as is often done for procreative purposes) is more adaptable and can transition to the stronger dose after a brief period of re-acclimatization, but all such dosage adjustments should be monitored by trained mediwix and potioneers.
There are occasional mild side-effects, more commonly experienced by those on the lower dose than by those taking the longer-lasting maintenance dose. These can include cramping, muscle or joint aches, sensitive skin, mood swings, light sensitivity, and/or headaches. All such side-effects are less intense when the potion is freshly-brewed, although the draughts may be safely stored for up to fourteen months before experiencing a significant loss of potency. Any side-effects crossing the threshold from slight discomfort to pain should be reported to a trained potioneer immediately as they can be a sign of improperly-brewed draughts or of more serious underlying medical issues unrelated to the Attisgalli Corrective Draught.
Despite occasional dismay from concerned groups (most often parents; most often those with strong ties to backwards Muggle ideas) there has been no evidence of any permanent damage or detrimental effects from the consumption of properly-brewed Attisgalli Corrective Draughts on either adolescent or adult bodies, and most reputable mediwix recommend starting children who express strong gender-disconnect on the low-dose version of the potion between the ages of ten and twelve. In rare cases, a half-dose may be given to younger children but it is not cleared for use by anyone under the age of six. The stronger version of the potion is not recommended for consumption by anyone who has not yet completed puberty, or by anyone who is hoping to become pregnant or to sire children in the near future. It may not legally be sold or prescribed to anyone under the age of seventeen.
The Attisgalli Corrective Draught is a stable and long-lasting potion that has few documented negative interactions with other spells and brews. Some of the those which it is known to react poorly with are: Polyjuice Potion, Full-Body Transfiguration, and Apparition (although in the latter case, this holds true only for the first month or two of dosage while the body adjusts; it is thus suggested that any student beginning their Apparition Lessons who has not already initiated treatment wait to do so until the lessons are complete and then to refrain from self-Apparition for a period of no less than two months). In most cases a regulatory half-dose is enough to cancel any ill effects, but it is best to consult a mediwix after any magical interaction.
Of course, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy provides regular doses to all students in need of the Attisgalli Corrective Draught, as should every reputable educational facility. It is considered a traditional part of a school Potion Master’s duties to brew the necessary draughts fresh, and any parent concerned that their child’s needs may be neglected should owl the head of their intended school immediately – or simply send their children to Hogwarts, which is after all the world’s premier source of magical education and which has a nearly flawless record with administering the Attisgalli Corrective Draught!
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