What is gender affirming care?

What does gender affirming care involve?

Gender-affirming care refers to healthcare and other forms of support designed to recognise and support a person’s gender identity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it can include social, psychological, behavioural and medical interventions, as well as respectful, person-centred healthcare.

Importantly, there is no single pathway for gender-affirming care. Every person has different needs, preferences and goals. Some people may only require social or psychological support, while others may consider hormone therapy or surgery. Some may choose none of these medical interventions.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) also emphasises that gender-affirming healthcare should address the social, mental and physical health needs of transgender and gender-diverse people through an individualised approach.

Social support

Social support can be an important part of gender affirmation. It may involve helping a person express their gender identity in their everyday life and feel respected in social, family, educational or professional environments.

This can include using a person’s chosen name and pronouns, supporting their gender expression, and helping them navigate conversations with family members or other people in their environment.

Social affirmation does not necessarily involve medical treatment. For some people, being able to live and express their gender identity in a safe and supportive environment can be an important part of their overall wellbeing.

Healthcare professionals also play a role in creating an inclusive environment by providing respectful and non-judgemental care. The WHO specifically identifies person-centred healthcare, including respect for people’s preferred pronouns, as part of gender-affirming healthcare.

Psychological support

Psychological support can help people explore their gender identity, understand their feelings and navigate the emotional or social challenges they may experience.

Gender-affirming psychological care should provide a safe and respectful environment in which people can discuss their experiences without being pressured to adopt a particular identity or outcome.

Depending on the person’s circumstances, psychological support may address issues such as anxiety, stress, relationships, family concerns, social challenges or difficulties associated with gender dysphoria.

Importantly, psychological care is not about changing someone’s gender identity. Instead, it can provide support while a person explores their identity, makes decisions about their healthcare and manages any emotional difficulties they may be experiencing.

Current professional guidance describes mental health support as one component of comprehensive gender-affirming healthcare, rather than a requirement that every person must complete before accessing other forms of care.

Medical treatments

For some transgender and gender-diverse people, medical treatment may form part of gender-affirming care.

Depending on the individual and their clinical circumstances, this may include gender-affirming hormone therapy designed to produce certain physical changes associated with a person’s gender identity. For example, masculinising or feminising hormone therapy may be considered as part of an individual’s healthcare plan.

Hormone treatment requires appropriate medical assessment, prescribing and monitoring. Healthcare professionals should consider factors such as a person’s medical history, potential benefits and risks, reproductive considerations and other aspects of their health.

Gender-affirming healthcare can also include other non-surgical interventions, such as voice and communication therapy, depending on the person’s goals and needs.

It is important to remember that medical treatment is not automatically part of everyone’s gender-affirming journey. There is no requirement for a person to undergo hormone therapy or any other medical intervention in order for their gender identity to be valid.

Surgical interventions

Gender-affirming surgery refers to surgical procedures that can modify particular physical characteristics so that they are more aligned with a person’s gender identity.

Depending on the individual, surgical options may include chest surgery, genital surgery or other procedures. The specific options, eligibility requirements, risks and recovery process vary considerably depending on the procedure and the patient’s circumstances.

Surgery is a significant medical decision and should involve appropriate clinical assessment and a clear discussion of potential benefits, risks, expected outcomes and alternatives. WPATH’s Standards of Care recommend that people considering gender-affirming surgical treatment receive appropriate counselling about these factors.

Not everyone who receives gender-affirming care wants or needs surgery. In fact, a central principle of gender-affirming healthcare is that treatment should be individualised rather than based on a one-size-fits-all pathway.

Contact Medical Care Barcelona

Finding a healthcare provider who listens to your concerns and treats you with respect, privacy and professionalism can make a significant difference when discussing your health and gender identity.

At Medical Care Barcelona, you can contact our medical team to discuss your healthcare needs and find out what type of medical support may be appropriate for your situation.

If you are looking for medical care in Barcelona and would like to speak with a healthcare professional about your individual needs, contact Medical Care Barcelona to discuss your options.

Conclusion

So, what is gender affirming care?

It is a broad and personalised approach to healthcare that supports transgender and gender-diverse people in ways that respect their gender identity and individual needs. It can involve social support, psychological care, medical treatments and surgical interventions, but not everyone will need or choose all of them.

The most important principle is that gender-affirming healthcare should be person-centred, respectful and tailored to each individual’s circumstances.

If you have questions about your health or would like to discuss your particular situation with a healthcare professional in Barcelona, seeking advice from an appropriately qualified medical provider is an important first step.