Gender Affirming Therapy
HOW COMMON IT IS?
it was found that the overall population of transgender is 4,87,803
Gender Affirming Therapy refers to a range of medical and psychological interventions designed to support an individual’s gender identity, particularly for those whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. This therapy may include hormone treatments, mental health counseling, and surgical procedures that help align a person’s physical characteristics with their gender identity. The goal of gender-affirming therapy is to improve the individual’s overall well-being, reduce gender dysphoria (the distress experienced due to a mismatch between gender identity and physical appearance), and support their mental and emotional health.
Why Do Youths Seek Gender-Affirming therapy?
Many young people seek gender-affirming care to address the distress associated with gender dysphoria and to feel more comfortable in their bodies. Adolescents and young adults may begin questioning their gender identity during their formative years, and early intervention can significantly improve their quality of life.
- Alleviating Gender Dysphoria: Youths may experience discomfort with their physical bodies, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Gender-affirming care helps address these feelings, providing relief from the emotional distress of living in a body that does not align with their gender identity.
- Support for Mental & Emotional Well-Being: Seeking gender-affirming care helps improve self-esteem and overall well-being by allowing individuals to express their gender identity in a way that feels authentic. Studies show that when young people have access to supportive care, they experience lower rates of mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
- Preventing Long-Term Dysphoria: Early access to hormone blockers or other treatments can delay the onset of puberty, preventing the development of unwanted secondary sex characteristics, such as breast development in transgender boys or facial hair in transgender girls. This can prevent long-term distress and reduce the need for more invasive surgical interventions later in life.
Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the medical process of administering hormones to transgender individuals to help them develop the physical traits of their identified gender. The therapy typically includes either testosterone for transmasculine individuals or estrogen and anti-androgens for transfeminine individuals. HRT can induce physical changes that better align one’s body with their gender identity, such as facial hair growth, breast development, or voice changes.
Medications Used in HRT
The medications used in HRT are designed to either introduce hormones that promote the development of desired secondary sex characteristics or suppress the hormones associated with the individual’s sex assigned at birth.
For Transfeminine Individuals (Male-to-Female)
- Estrogen: The primary hormone used in feminizing HRT, estrogen promotes the development of breasts, softens skin, redistributes body fat, and reduces body hair growth. It can also decrease spontaneous erections and shrink the testes.
- Forms of estrogen include oral pills, transdermal patches, and injectable formulations.
- Anti-Androgens: These medications suppress the production of testosterone, allowing estrogen to work more effectively. Spironolactone and cyproterone acetate are common anti-androgens used to reduce masculinizing effects such as facial and body hair growth, male-pattern baldness, and a deep voice.
For Transmasculine Individuals (Female-to-Male)
- Testosterone: Testosterone is the key hormone used in masculinizing HRT. It induces changes such as facial and body hair growth, a deepening of the voice, increased muscle mass, and redistribution of fat. Testosterone can also stop menstruation and increase libido.
- It is available in injectable, topical gel, or patch form.
- Progesterone: In some cases, transmasculine individuals may also use progesterone to stop menstruation, although testosterone alone is often sufficient for this purpose.
Guidance & Support Related to Gender Affirmation Surgeries
Gender affirmation surgeries are a significant step for many individuals, and at Dr. Aditya’s Endocrine Clinic, we provide comprehensive guidance and support to help patients make informed decisions.
Pre-Surgery Counseling
We provide pre-surgical counseling to ensure that patients fully understand the procedures, outcomes, and potential risks involved in gender affirmation surgeries. We works closely with individuals to assess their readiness for surgery and to ensure they have realistic expectations regarding the changes surgery will bring.
Hormonal Support
Hormonal therapy is often necessary before surgery to align the body with the individual’s gender identity. This therapy prepares the body for surgical interventions by promoting physical changes, such as breast development or facial hair growth. Our clinic ensures continuous hormonal support before and after surgery to maintain these changes.
Long-term Health Monitoring
Gender-affirming care does not end with surgery. We provide long-term health monitoring to track the effects of hormone therapy and surgeries over time, adjusting treatments as necessary to ensure optimal health and well-being.