By S.I. (staff writer) , published on November 08, 2022
Gender dysphoria is a term that refers to a feeling of unease caused by a mismatch between a person's biological sex and gender identity.
This sense of unease or dissatisfaction can be so strong that it can lead to depression and anxiety and negatively impact daily living [1].
Gender dysphoria can cause teenagers and adults to have a significant mismatch between their inner gender identity and their assigned gender for at least six months. A person suffering from gender dysphoria might experience:
They may also exhibit signs of discomfort or anxiety, such as
The precise cause of gender dysphoria is unknown. Gender development is complicated, and many things are unknown or poorly understood. Gender dysphoria has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Individuals suffering from it may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual [3].
The purpose is not to change the individual's feelings about their gender. Instead, treatment focuses on alleviating their distress and other emotional turmoil [4].
A crucial component of treatment for gender dysphoria is "talk" therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist. Many people also decide to take some steps to align their physical appearance with how they feel on the inside. They may alter their appearance or choose a new name. They may also be prescribed hormones and other medications and undergo surgery.
Treatment options include:
These are hormones that suppress the physical changes associated with puberty. The blockages may prevent breast growth in someone who is assigned as a female.
Teens and adults may use the sex hormones estrogen or testosterone to develop characteristics of the sex with which they identify [5].
After a year of hormone therapy, some people elect to have sex reassignment or gender-affirming surgery. This was once known as a sex-change operation. Experts advise against surgery until a person is 18 years old and has lived in their selected gender for two years.
People can choose the best treatment for them with the advice of therapists and specialists. This may be determined in part by whether they are content with their new social role, hormonal side effects, and whether they want surgical alterations.