Early gender-affirming care is essential for the general health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary children and adolescents because it enables the child or teenager to concentrate on social transitions and can boost their confidence while navigating the healthcare system. Gender-affirming care puts the patient first and treats each person as a whole, matching their physical characteristics to their gender identification.

Those services include the following:

• Emotional, social, and psychological care

  • Counseling about coming out as transgender to family, peers, and others (such as teachers).

  • Resources to assist with changing outward appearances and gender presentation. For example, IU Health Care's LGBTQ Clinic refers interested patients to the hair salon at the university hospital for hair and makeup lessons, Imborek says.

  • Social Affirmation (Adopting gender-affirming hairstyles, clothing, name, gender pronouns, and restrooms and other facilities)

  • Speech therapy to help match vocal characteristics (such as pitch and phrasing patterns) with gender identity.

  • Hair removal through electrolysis, laser treatment, or waxing.

  • Breast binding or padding, genital tucking, and padding of the hips or buttocks.

• Hormone-related therapies

  • Puberty blockers: Transgender youths who have not started or completed puberty can receive “puberty blocker” medication, which suppresses the release of sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.

  • Hormone therapy: Older youths (usually in mid-adolescence) and adults can receive hormone therapy to increase their levels of estrogen or testosterone so that they develop sex characteristics more closely aligned with their gender identity.

• Gender-Affirming Surgeries

  • “Top” surgery – to create a male-typical chest shape or enhance breasts

  • “Bottom” surgery – surgery on genitals or reproductive organs

  • Facial feminization or other procedures