About gender dysphoria

Key words: Gender variant, Gender non-conformity, Transgender, Pubertal suspension, LHRH analog

Gender identity is a dimension of sexual identity and refers to persistent personal conception of oneself as male or female. Gender identity development is not always in accordance with the biological sex, therefore - even from an early age - some children do not identify themselves with the gender assigned at birth (gender variance). In some cases this condition may be accompanied by discomfort (gender dysphoria). Paediatricians are often the first contact these children/adolescents have with the health care system, therefore they should be able to answer the questions of their families and when they identify a possible gender dysphoria should address this issue easily, finding any associated psychosocial problems.