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Term Definition Sex An assignment that is made at birth, usually male or female, typically on the basis of external genital anatomy but sometimes on the basis of internal gonads, chromosomes, or hormone levels Gender identity A person’s deep internal sense of being female, male, a combination of both, somewhere in between, or neither, resulting from a multifaceted interaction of biological traits, environmental factors, self-understanding, and cultural expectations Gender expression The external way a person expresses their gender, such as with clothing, hair, mannerisms, activities, or social roles Gender perception The way others interpret a person’s gender expression Gender diverse A term that is used to describe people with gender behaviors, appearances, or identities that are incongruent with those culturally assigned to their birth sex; gender-diverse individuals may refer to themselves with many different terms, such as transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer,7 gender fluid, gender creative, gender independent, or noncisgender. “Gender diverse” is used to acknowledge and include the vast diversity of gender identities that exists. It replaces the former term, “gender nonconforming,” which has a negative and exclusionary connotation. Transgender A subset of gender-diverse youth whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex and generally remains persistent, consistent, and insistent over time; the term “transgender” also encompasses many other labels individuals may use to refer to themselves. Cisgender A term that is used to describe a person who identifies and expresses a gender that is consistent with the culturally defined norms of the sex they were assigned at birth Agender A term that is used to describe a person who does not identify as having a particular gender Affirmed gender When a person’s true gender identity, or concern about their gender identity, is communicated to and validated from others as authentic MTF; affirmed female; trans female Terms that are used to describe individuals who were assigned male sex at birth but who have a gender identity and/or expression that is asserted to be more feminine FTM; affirmed male; trans male Terms that are used to describe individuals who were assigned female sex at birth but who have a gender identity and/or expression that is asserted to be more masculine Gender dysphoria A clinical symptom that is characterized by a sense of alienation to some or all of the physical characteristics or social roles of one’s assigned gender; also, gender dysphoria is the psychiatric diagnosis in the DSM-5, which has focus on the distress that stems from the incongruence between one’s expressed or experienced (affirmed) gender and the gender assigned at birth. Gender identity disorder A psychiatric diagnosis defined previously in the DSM-IV (changed to “gender dysphoria” in the DSM-5); the primary criteria include a strong, persistent cross-sex identification and significant distress and social impairment. This diagnosis is no longer appropriate for use and may lead to stigma, but the term may be found in older research. Sexual orientation A person’s sexual identity in relation to the gender(s) to which they are attracted; sexual orientation and gender identity develop separately. This list is not intended to be all inclusive. The pronouns “they” and ”their” are used intentionally to be inclusive rather than the binary pronouns “he” and “she” and “his” and “her.” Adapted from Bonifacio HJ, Rosenthal SM. Gender variance and dysphoria in children and adolescents. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2015;62(4):1001–1016. Adapted from Vance SR Jr, Ehrensaft D, Rosenthal SM. Psychological and medical care of gender nonconforming youth. Pediatrics. 2014;134(6):1184–1192. DSM-5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition; FTM, female to male; MTF, male to female.
Component Definition General Age Rangea Reversibilitya Social affirmation Adopting gender-affirming hairstyles, clothing, name, gender pronouns, and restrooms and other facilities Any Reversible Puberty blockers Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, such as leuprolide and histrelin During puberty (Tanner stage 2–5)b Reversiblec Cross-sex hormone therapy Testosterone (for those who were assigned female at birth and are masculinizing); estrogen plus androgen inhibitor (for those who were assigned male at birth and are feminizing) Early adolescence onward Partially reversible (skin texture, muscle mass, and fat deposition); irreversible once developed (testosterone: Adam’s apple protrusion, voice changes, and male pattern baldness; estrogen: breast development); unknown reversibility (effect on fertility) 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 and other procedures Typically adults (adolescents on case-by-case basisd) Not reversible Legal affirmation Changing gender and name recorded on birth certificate, school records, and other documents Any Reversible ↵a Note that the provided age range and reversibility is based on the little data that are currently available.
↵b There is limited benefit to starting gonadotropin-releasing hormone after Tanner stage 5 for pubertal suppression. However, when cross-sex hormones are initiated with a gradually increasing schedule, the initial levels are often not high enough to suppress endogenous sex hormone secretion. Therefore, gonadotropin-releasing hormone may be continued in accordance with the Endocrine Society Guidelines.68
↵c The effect of sustained puberty suppression on fertility is unknown. Pubertal suppression can be, and often is indicated to be, followed by cross-sex hormone treatment. However, when cross-sex hormones are initiated without endogenous hormones, then fertility may be decreased.68
↵d Eligibility criteria for gender-affirmative surgical interventions among adolescents are not clearly defined between established protocols and practice. When applicable, eligibility is usually determined on a case-by-case basis with the adolescent and the family along with input from medical, mental health, and surgical providers.68–71
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- Emerging Issues in Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care
- Medically assisted gender affirmation: when children and parents disagree
- Considerations for Addressing Low HIV Testing Rates Among Adolescent Men Who Have Sex With Men
- Evaluation of a gender-affirming healthcare curriculum for second-year medical students
- Unique Needs of the Adolescent
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- Ethical Issues Considered When Establishing a Pediatrics Gender Surgery Center