Symptoms of Gender dysphoria

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In childhood, boys may show an interest in traditionally feminine activities and girls may display â€˜ tomboyâ€™ behaviour; they may express a desire to be the opposite sex.

A few of these children continue to have these feelings into adolescence, however most boys and girls with gender identity uncertainty outgrow their wish to change sex and gender. In a few cases these feelings continue and so the physical effects of puberty can be very distressing and confusing.

Young adults with gender dysphoria may try to relieve increasing feelings of gender anxiety by getting married and trying to live in their birth sex. They may try counselling or therapy to help them cope with their confusion and discomfort. Others will seek gender reassignment surgery.

Gender identity is quite separate from sexual orientation (whether someone is attracted to men or women). People with gender dysphoria may be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Sexual orientation can however change after hormone and surgical treatment. For example a male to female transsexual person attracted to woman prior to surgery may find they are attracted to men after surgery.

Transvestism is also quite distinct from gender dysphoria. Transvestites are people who get sexual or emotional pleasure from wearing the clothing of the opposite sex. They are content with their gender identity but enjoy the fantasy of pretending to be a member of the opposite sex.