In recent years, information about gender-affirming care has run rampant. As a newer medical approach, lots of misinformation has sparked controversy about this. Gender-affirming care is a comprehensive approach to healthcare that respects and supports an individual’s gender identity.

This type of care involves a variety of medical, psychological, and social services designed to help transgender and nonbinary individuals transition into their authentic selves.

What Is Gender-Affirming Care?

Gender-affirming care encompasses a wide range of services and interventions. Every trans or nonbinary person is unique, with different needs and wants for their transition. The main positive of gender-affirming care is that it can be tailored to the individual. Some of these services may include:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):

This treatment is basically using hormones, such as estrogen or testosterone, to align an individual’s physical characteristics with their gender identity. For example, with transgender women, hormone replacement therapy may involve estrogen and anti-androgens (male sex hormones) to develop traditionally feminine features. For transgender men, similar concept, except they will take testosterone to develop traditionally masculine features.

Surgical Interventions:

Gender-affirmation surgery refers to procedures to help individuals transition to their gender. These can include chest surgery, genital surgery, and facial feminization or masculinization surgeries. Gender identity is the way you feel and present yourself to others. Part of this care is exploring options to make an individual feel comfortable in their own skin. To some, they want the surgical procedures to alter their appearances.

Nonsurgical Intervention Options:

Individuals may not want to take the surgical route for many reasons. There are nonsurgical options as well:

Hormone Therapy: developing masculine or feminine features by adding hormones
Puberty Blockers: delaying the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as facial structure, breast growth, and hair formation.
Voice Therapy: Teaches speaking and communication skills that aides with your gender identity.
Laser Hair Removal: Removing facial or body hair.

There are also more steps than just medical transitioning. Expressing your gender may also include:

Changing your name
Using different pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.).
Changing style, like hair, clothing, or makeup.

Mental, Social, and Legal Support:

Psychological services, such as therapy, are an essential component of gender-affirming care. Services like this can help individuals navigate the emotional aspects of their gender transition by addressing anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.

Social support is helping the individual develop social skills, expressions for their gender identity, and how to feel comfortable coming out or fully evolving into their true self. Legal assistance is about name and gender changing on legal documents, if it is needed.

Why Is Gender-Affirming Care Important?

Mental Health and Well-Being

The most important reason gender-affirming care is needed is because of its positive impact on mental health. Research shows that transgender and nonbinary individuals experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. This is due to the increased stress of transitioning, as well as fearing societal discrimination. Gender-affirming care can have significant improvements in mental well-being and overall happiness.

Social Inclusion and Acceptance

This type of support helps individuals come to terms with their gender identity and provides support for gender expression. This can make social interactions feel more comfortable and hopefully reduce the stigma and discrimination that transgender and nonbinary individuals face.

Empowerment

Gender-affirming care empowers people to make decisions about their bodies and lives based on their true selves. Autonomy is a fundamental human right, and individuals who struggle with their personal identity feel they cannot fully be themselves because of societal judgments and pressures. By providing access to this kind of care, healthcare systems can start to acknowledge and respect the identities of transgender and nonbinary individuals.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gender identity, reach out to professional supports. At Therapy for Women, we are proud to provide gender affirming care. Reach out today to learn more about our therapists who specialize in the LGBTQ+ population and get started!