Description

Gender dysphoria is a feeling of distress that can happen when a person's gender identity differs from the sex assigned to them at birth.

Some transgender and gender-diverse people have gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. Other transgender and gender-diverse people are comfortable with their bodies and gender identities, and that you do not have gender dysphoria.

A diagnosis of gender dysphoria is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 is published by the American psychiatric Association. The diagnosis was created to help people with gender dysphoria to obtain access to the medical care and treatment they need. A diagnosis of gender dysphoria focuses on the feeling of distress such as the problem, not gender identity.

Symptoms

Gender identity is to have the inner sense of being male or female, or somewhere along the gender spectrum, or have an internal sense of gender that is beyond male and female. People who have gender dysphoria feel a big difference between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria is different than simply not follow the stereotypes of gender behaviors. It involves feelings of distress due to a strong, long-lasting desire to be another gender.

Gender dysphoria may begin in childhood and continue into adolescence and adulthood. But some people may have periods of time in which they don't notice gender dysphoria. Or the feelings may seem to come and go. Some people have gender dysphoria when puberty starts. In others, it may not develop until later in life.

Some adolescents may express their feelings of gender dysphoria to their parents or a health professional. But others may have symptoms of a mood disorder, anxiety or depression in your place. Or they may have social difficulties or problems in school.

Complications

Gender dysphoria can affect many parts of life, including daily activities. For example, school can be difficult for people with gender dysphoria. That may be due to the pressure to dress or act in a manner that is linked to their sex assigned at birth. Bullied, teased or bullied because of gender identity can also make it very difficult to do well in school.

If gender dysphoria makes school or work very hard, the result may be dropping out of school or not being able to find a job. Gender dysphoria can pose problems in relationships. Anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, substance abuse and other mental health problems, many things can happen.

People who have gender dysphoria are often the target of discrimination and prejudice. That can lead to ongoing stress and fear. This is called the gender minority stress.

Access to health services and mental health services can be difficult. This may be due to a lack of insurance coverage, you are denied attention problems, to find a health care professional with expertise in transgender care or fear of discrimination in the health centers.

People with gender dysphoria who do not receive the support and treatment they need, are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or actions.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of gender dysphoria includes distress due to gender identity different from sex assigned at birth that lasts for at least six months and consists of two or more of the following:

  • A difference between gender identity and the genitals or secondary sex characteristics. Examples of such characteristics include the breasts, and the facial hair. In the young adolescents who have not started puberty, the distress can be caused by a difference between gender identity and the secondary sexual characteristics that are expected to develop on their bodies.
  • A strong desire to be rid of the genitals or secondary sex characteristics, or a desire to prevent the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
  • We have the firm desire of the genitals and secondary sex characteristics of the other gender.
  • A strong desire to be or be treated as another gender.
  • A strong belief of having the typical feelings and behaviors of another gender.

Gender dysphoria also includes the anguish that makes it difficult to manage work, school, social situations and to other parts of daily life.

Treatment

The purpose of treatment is to ease gender dysphoria. Specific objectives for the gender dysphoria treatment depend on the person.

If you have gender dysphoria, it is important to find a health professional who has experience in the care of the gender diversity of the people. If you need help, you can search online for organizations such as the World Professional Association for Health Transgender (WPATH). WPATH offers a search on your web site that you can find health professionals in your area who work with transgender and gender diverse people.

The treatment for gender dysphoria may include changes in the expression of gender, hormonal therapy, surgery, and support behavioral health therapy.

The changes in the expression of gender

The expression of gender involves how gender is shown to the world through the way a person looks or acts. Gender expression can include the clothes, the gestures, the style of communication and interest by, among other things. The changes in the expression of gender to alleviate gender dysphoria may involve dress, speak and behave in ways that are more consistent with a person's gender identity.

Medical treatment

Medical treatment of gender dysphoria may include:

  • Gender-affirming hormone therapy to align the body with the gender identity.
  • Gender-affirming surgery, such as procedures to make changes in the chest, genitals, or facial features.

Specific medical treatment is based on a person's goals, along with an assessment of the risks and benefits. The treatments can also be based on other conditions of a person. Economic and social issues can play a role in the creation of a treatment plan as well.

Before anyone has the hormone therapy or surgery to treat gender dysphoria, a health care professional performs a health assessment. This helps the address of any medical condition that may affect the gender dysphoria treatment. The assessment may include:

  • A review of personal and family medical history.
  • A physical exam.
  • The laboratory tests.
  • A review of the vaccines.
  • Screening for some diseases and conditions.
  • Identification and management, if necessary, the consumption of tobacco, drug use, alcohol use disorder, and HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
  • The discussion about fertility and procedures that may be necessary for the preservation of fertility.

Mental health assessment can also be performed by a health care professional with expertise in transgender health. The evaluation you can evaluate:

  • Gender health goals.
  • The problems of Mental health.
  • Sexual health problem.
  • The impact of the gender dysphoria at work, at school, at home and in social settings.
  • The use of substances or the use of hormone therapy or supplements that are not recommended by a healthcare professional.
  • The support of family, friends and other loved ones.
  • The objectives, risks, and expectations of treatment.

Behavioral health therapy

The goal of the behavioral health therapy to improve the mental well-being and quality of life. It is not intended to change the gender identity. Instead, this therapy can help people to explore gender issues and find ways to alleviate gender dysphoria.

Behavioral health therapy can often help people with gender dysphoria will feel comfortable with the way they express their gender identity. That may help to improve daily life, including school, work and relationships. The treatment can also address other mental health problems.

Behavioral health therapy can include individual, couple, family and group counseling to help people:

  • The direction of the mental and the emotional impact of the stress that results from prejudice and discrimination based on gender identity. This is called the gender minority stress.
  • Build a network of support.
  • Develop a plan to address issues related to the exchange of gender identity, with family, friends, colleagues, and others.
  • Become comfortable expressing gender identity.
  • Exploring healthy sexuality.
  • Make decisions about the medical treatment options.

Other steps

Other ways to relieve gender dysphoria may include the use of:

  • The claim names and pronouns.
  • Voice and communication therapy to develop vocal characteristics that best align with your gender identity.
  • Hair removal or hair transplant.
  • Genital getting into.
  • In the chest of the union.
  • Breast padding.
  • Genital packaging.
  • Legal services for help with the name and the gender of the changes in the legal documents.
  • Services to help with the appearance, such as the makeup or the clothes.
  • Social and community services to help deal with issues such as work, family or parenting concerns.

Talk with your health care professional about whether these steps can be useful to you.

Coping and support

Gender dysphoria can often be alleviated by being in a supportive environment. Social support from family, friends and other loved ones can help to prevent depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, anxiety, or high-risk behaviors.

Talking with other transgender or gender-diverse people can also help. Ask your healthcare provider about support groups in your area. Some community centers or LGBTQ+ centers have support groups. Online support groups are also available.

Join a community LGBTQ+ organization can help build the community and can offer useful support. Or consider the possibility of participating in other community organizations where you feel comfortable and supported to express their gender identity.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your primary healthcare professional. Or you may be referred to a behavioral health professional.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.
Symptoms and treatment of Gender dysphoria