What is Gender Dysphoria?

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].

 

What are the Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria?

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:

 

• A difference between gender identification and genitals or secondary sex traits including breast size, voice, and facial hair. A distinction between gender identification and expected secondary sex characteristics in young adolescents.
• A strong desire to be free of these genitals or secondary sex features, or a desire to prevent secondary sex characteristics from developing.
• A wish to have another gender's genitals and secondary sex traits.
• A desire to be or be treated as someone of a different gender.
• A powerful belief that one has the usual sentiments and reactions of the opposite gender.

 

They may also exhibit signs of discomfort or anxiety, such as

 

1. Neglecting themselves [2]
2. Anxiety and depression
3. Decreased self-esteem
4. Taking unwarranted and unnecessary risks
5. Social withdrawal and isolation.

 

 

What are the Causes of Gender Dysphoria?

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].

 

What is the Treatment for Gender Dysphoria?

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:

1.      Puberty Blockers:

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.

2.      Hormones:

Teens and adults may use the sex hormones estrogen or testosterone to develop characteristics of the sex with which they identify [5].

3.      Surgery:

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.

 

 

References:

1. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/trgh.2018.0014
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09540261.2015.1115753
3. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224498809551410?journalCode=hjsr20
4. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00918369.2012.653300?casa_token=izrr6ZxHXecAAAAA%3AMFc_NelRc7cj240nF-RYxo82RKp9U7VvETXZqdnq3Cy4PU9GFBs4_qn7I-G-B0tFD1Nwhlv5sntFtmzk
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022347613013644

 

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