This page is designed to be an introduction for anyone interested in the components of gender-affirming healthcare. It reviews common terms used by healthcare professionals, advocation for supportive language and engagement with transgender and gender diverse persons, and a list of Massachusetts based options for seeking additional medical services.
Gender Dysphoria
The term “transgender” refers to a person whose sex assigned at birth (i.e. the sex assigned at birth, usually based on external genitalia) does not align with their gender identity (i.e., one’s psychological sense of their gender). Some people who are transgender will experience “gender dysphoria,” which refers to psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and one’s gender identity. Though gender dysphoria often begins in childhood, some people may not experience or identify it clearly until after puberty or much later. more…
Pronouns (He & Them & Hers)
Using a person’s preferred pronouns demonstrates respect and insight to the person’s identity and preferences in how they wish to be addressed. Though changing a mentally assigned pronoun is not always easy it is important to have an open mindset that affirms the person’s identity is more important than your frustration by apologizing when appropriate, practicing, and correcting self. People who do this have been shown to be protective factors to psychological distress including severity of suicidal thoughts. For more on chosen names and the use of preferred pronouns affect on mental health please read the University of Texas’ article.
How to change your name in Massachusetts
What is binding?
Binding is a cosmetic modification to the body’s silhouette through the use of fabric, tape, and other materials. It is a practice that has been shown to reduce suicidal thoughts in those with dysphoria, and should be practiced no more than roughly 8 to 10 hours a day on a regular basis. For a comprehensive article on the medical risks associated with binding please go here.
What are Puberty Blockers?
Puberty blockers is a common term used for histrelin acetate and leuprolide acetate. A gender expansive adolescent should be granted a space to talk about whether or not there is a need for arresting the development of their secondary sex characteristics in order to have space and time to decide on whether or not they need to transition their body to cope with symptoms of Dysphoria. For more of an introduction to the benefits and risks of puberty blockers please read the Mayo Clinic’s article.
What does Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy mean?
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) refers to the use of supplementing the body with testosterone or estrogen; the effect of which maintains or affirms binary secondary sex characteristics. Target goals of the effects of hormone therapy should be well understood before treatment begins and reasoning should show insight on all aspects of effect it will have on the body, mind, and life of the person.
“Many transgender individuals seek cross-sex hormone therapy for treatment of gender dysphoria. Hormone therapy plays an integral role in the transition process for patients. Guidelines exist to help providers prescribe and monitor therapy. Hormone therapy has been shown to be associated with positive outcomes for patients, but there are important metabolic implications of therapy that must be carefully considered when treating patients.” – National Institute of Health
What is Gender Affirming Surgery?
Also known as Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS), is a surgery that modifies a person’s genitals in order to alleviate severe symptoms of dysphoria associated with a person’s structure. For more on this topic please consult the following links: National Institute of Health, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins, Denver Health, and Michigan Medicine.
Finding a Medical Provider
Medical providers are often regionally clumped, but continued expansion of networks are forming to help navigate options for clients seeking gender affirming care. Recommendations of where to start in Massachusetts include:
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
UMass Memorial LGBTQIA+ Specialty Care
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
Gender Multispecialty Service (GeMS)
