Gender-affirming care - meaning and definition
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Definition
Health care that supports a person's gender identity, ranging from respectful everyday treatment and mental health support to hormones and surgery.
At a glance
- Gender-affirming care is health care that supports a person's gender identity.
- At its simplest it means using a patient's correct name and pronouns.
- It can also include mental health support, voice therapy, hormones and surgery.
- Guidance for young people differs between countries and is under ongoing review.
- Decisions are best made with qualified clinicians and national guidance.
In detail
Gender-affirming care is a broad term. At its simplest it means health services that use a patient's correct name and pronouns and understand their needs. It also includes psychological support, speech and voice therapy, hormone therapy and surgery for those who want them.
Guidance on medical treatments, especially for young people, differs between countries and is the subject of ongoing clinical review and public debate. Adults and families considering care are best served by speaking with qualified clinicians and consulting their national health guidance.
In a sentence
- The practice trained its receptionists in gender-affirming care, starting with names and pronouns.
- She looked up her country's health guidance before asking about gender-affirming care.
Common questions
Does gender-affirming care always mean hormones or surgery?
No. It is a broad term. It includes everyday respectful treatment, such as correct names and pronouns, and psychological and voice support. Hormones and surgery are only part of it, for those who want them.
Why is gender-affirming care for young people debated?
Medical guidance for under-18s varies between countries and has been reviewed in several places in recent years. Families considering care are best served by speaking with qualified clinicians and checking their national health guidance.