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Chapter 11 - Gender Incongruence

Key Considerations in Transitioning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2021

By
Anne M. Doherty  and
Todd B. Nippoldt
Edited by
Anne M. Doherty ,
Aoife M. Egan  and
Sean Dinneen
Anne M. Doherty
Affiliation:
University College Dublin
Aoife M. Egan
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA
Sean Dinneen
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway
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Summary

People who are transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) include people whose experienced gender is different from their assigned sex at birth, and they have specific healthcare needs. As the number of people identifying as TGNC is increasing internationally, it is important that endocrinologists, psychiatrists and indeed all health professionals have a good understanding of the issues related to the physical and mental healthcare of transgender people. People who identify as TGNC experience a disproportionate amount of violence, discrimination and stigma, and these factors contribute to poorer outcomes. There is also a high rate of comorbidity in young people who are TGNC, including mood disorders, eating disorders, suicidal ideation and self-harm. Compounding these mental health problems are the effects of social exclusion (including educational and employment), which often places TGNC people at risk, especially during transitioning. Transgender people should have access to expert guideline-based care that allows them to transition safely and to optimise their health and well-being.

Keywords

gender identitysuicidemental healthendocrinologygender dysphoria
Type
Chapter
Information
Mental Health, Diabetes and Endocrinology , pp. 116 - 126
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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