HealthInfo Canterbury

Gender dysphoria

Some transgender and gender diverse people experience distress because their gender identity is different to the sex they were assigned at birth. This is often referred to as gender dysphoria.

Being transgender is often but not always associated with gender dysphoria. Transgender people can experience constant reminders when showering or dressing. But supportive, gender-affirming care significantly improves gender dysphoria and mental health and wellbeing.

It's important for family, friends, school, work and the community to support people and children who are questioning their gender identity or who identify as transgender or gender diverse.

There's a lot of support for transgender and gender diverse people. See Support networks for transgender people and Support networks for young transgender people & their whānau.

The 298 Youth Health Centre provides free medical care and counselling services for those aged 10 to 24 years.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Mental Health Foundation – Gender dysphoria

  Information about gender dysphoria, including causes, signs, transition and treatment options.

• American Psychology Association
  • Gender diversity and transgender identity in children

    A factsheet about gender dysphoria in children.

  • Gender diversity and transgender identity in adolescents

    A factsheet about gender dysphoria in adolescents.

Written by Ko Awatea gender-affirming care co-design group. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created May 2019.

Sources

Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash.

Page reference: 72466

Review key: HISOG-53214