ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Gender dysphoria

What is Gender dysphoria?

21:54 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It refers to the annoyance, disgust, anger, anguish, or anxiety that some people suffer when there is no concordance between their biological sex, their physical characteristics, and their gender identity, which can cause depression or other mental health pathologies, in addition to suicide risks.

Gender dysphoria, known a few years ago as gender identity disorder, can appear during childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, although there is a possibility that it begins later in life.

Its origin is unknown, but some studies refer to genetics and possible hormone changes in the uterus, as well as environmental and cultural factors.

Signs and symptoms Gender dysphoria

Symptoms depend on age, but the most frequent are:

  • A marked difference between internal gender identity and primary and secondary sexual characteristics.
  • Desire to be free of primary and secondary sexual characteristics due to a marked difference from internal gender identity.
  • Interest in acquiring the primary and secondary sexual characteristics of the other gender.
  • You want to be treated like the other gender or an alternate gender other than your biological one.
  • Conviction that one has emotions and characteristics of the other gender.

Gender dysphoria can cause discrimination, rejection, and ridicule, affecting various aspects of life, including the ability to relate and perform at school or work, for fear of being judged or harassed.

Potential risks:

The person with gender dysphoria may:

  • Generate addictions to drugs or alcohol.
  • Self-harm.
  • Suffer excess stress.
  • Have eating disorders.
  • Commit suicide.

Diagnosis and treatment Gender dysphoria

A mental health specialist, preferably with experience in caring for transgender people, will perform a mental health evaluation to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment will depend on the signs and symptoms present, but the goal is to help relieve distress through acceptance and support of the person with gender dysphoria, through:

  • Behavioral therapy
  • Gender affirming hormone therapy.
  • Adoption of the desired gender role.
  • Gender affirming surgery.
  • Advice and support from a multidisciplinary medical group before, during, and after treatment.

The person with emotional dysphoria requires emotional, social, and psychological support, both from the medical team and from family and friends, so it is important that if you know someone close to you with this condition:

  • Look for information related to gender identity.
  • Use neutral pronouns.
  • If they change their name, use the new one when you speak or address them.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cigna.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • childmind.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Jiménez LJL, Maldonado GME, Jiménez MN. Protocolo de atención para pacientes con disforia de género. Arch Neurocien. 2017;22(1):35-40.
  • Salín-Pascual RJ. La diversidad sexo-genérica: Un punto de vista evolutivo. Salud Mental. 2015;38(2):147-153.
  • Álvarez-Díaz JA. ¿La maternidad de un padre o la paternidad de una madre? Transexualidad, reproducción asistida y bioética. Gac Med Mex. 2009;145(2):151-157.
  • Salin-Pascual RJ, Guzman AA. Comorbilidad psiquiátrica y percepción de la autoimagen corporal durante las ensoñaciones, en una muestra de personas transexuales. Rev Mex Neuroci. 2015;16(5):16-28.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.