Misconceptions Around Gender Affirming Care
May 13, 2025
Gender-affirming care is a medically necessary and evidence-based approach to supporting the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary individuals. Despite its importance, there are several misconceptions surrounding this type of care that can have serious consequences for those seeking it.
What is Gender-Affirming Care?
Gender-affirming care encompasses a range of social, psychological, and medical interventions designed to support individuals in aligning their lives with their gender identity. This care is tailored to the individual's needs and can include hormone therapy, surgical interventions, mental health support, and social support such as changing one's name or pronouns.
Common Misconceptions About Gender-Affirming Care
- Myth: Gender-affirming care is experimental or not evidence-based.
Reality: Numerous professional medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Endocrine Society, have endorsed gender-affirming care as evidence-based and medically necessary for many transgender individuals. Research has shown that this care significantly improves the mental and physical health outcomes of transgender people.
- Myth: Gender-affirming care is only for adults.
Reality: Gender-affirming care is not limited to adults. Pediatricians and other healthcare providers offer age-appropriate care to adolescents and children, which can include puberty blockers for adolescents to delay the onset of puberty until they are older and can make more informed decisions about hormone therapy. The goal is to support young people in exploring their gender identity in a safe and healthy manner.
- Myth: Providing gender-affirming care leads to an increase in being transgender.
Reality: The availability of gender-affirming care does not cause someone to identify as transgender. Research indicates that the prevalence of being transgender is consistent across different regions and cultures, regardless of the availability of gender-affirming care. Supportive care is associated with better mental health outcomes for transgender individuals.
- Myth: Gender-affirming care, especially for minors, is irreversible.
Reality: While some aspects of gender-affirming care, such as certain surgical interventions, are not reversible, others are. For example, the effects of puberty blockers are reversible if stopped. The decision to undergo any form of gender-affirming care involves careful consideration and consultation with healthcare providers. For minors, care is typically staged and reversible where possible, to ensure that interventions are appropriate for the individual's age and developmental stage.
- Myth: Gender-affirming care is not supported by major medical organizations.
Reality: As mentioned, major medical organizations support gender-affirming care. These organizations have conducted thorough reviews of the available evidence and concluded that gender-affirming care is safe and effective when provided according to established guidelines.
Consequences of Misconceptions Around Gender-Affirming Care
The misconceptions surrounding gender-affirming care can have serious consequences, including:
- Delayed or Foregone Care: Misconceptions can lead to barriers in accessing necessary care, resulting in poorer health outcomes for transgender individuals.
- Stigma and Discrimination: Perpetuating misconceptions contributes to the stigma and discrimination faced by transgender people, exacerbating mental health issues and social isolation.
- Policy and Legislative Challenges: Misconceptions can inform policy and legislation that restricts access to gender-affirming care, particularly for minors.
Understanding and addressing the misconceptions around gender-affirming care is crucial for ensuring that transgender and non-binary individuals receive the support and care they need. By promoting accurate information and evidence-based practices, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
Ready to talk with a compassionate professional about gender identity concerns? Contact Being Human Group today to schedule a consultation. We're here to provide the support and information you need to navigate this important aspect of mental health and personal identity.
