Gender dysphoria might cause adolescents and adults to experience a marked difference between inner gender identity and assigned gender that lasts for at least six months. The difference is shown by at least two of the following:   A difference between gender identity and genitals or secondary sex characteristics, such as breast size, voice and facial hair. In young adolescents, a difference between gender identity and anticipated secondary sex characteristics. A strong desire to be rid of these genitals or secondary sex characteristics, or a desire to prevent the development of secondary sex characteristics. A strong desire to have the genitals and secondary sex characteristics of another gender. A strong desire to be or to be treated as another gender. A strong belief of having the typical feelings and reactions of another gender.  Gender dysphoria may also cause significant distress that affects how you function in social situations, at work or school, and in other areas of life. Gender dysphoria might start in childhood and continue into adolescence and adulthood. Or you might have periods in which you no longer experience gender dysphoria. You might also experience gender dysphoria around the time of puberty or much later in life. Complications Gender dysphoria can affect many aspects of life, including daily activities. People experiencing gender dysphoria might have difficulty in school due to pressure to dress in a way that's associated with their sex assigned at birth or out of fear of being harassed or teased. If gender dysphoria impairs the ability to function at school or at work, the result may be school dropout or unemployment. Relationship difficulties are common. Anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, substance misuse and other problems can occur. People who have gender dysphoria also often experience discrimination, resulting in stress. Accessing health services and mental health services can be difficult due to fear of stigma and a lack of experienced care providers. Adolescents and adults with gender dysphoria without gender-affirming treatment might be at risk of thinking about or attempting suicide.                  By Mayo Clinic Staff By Mayo Clinic Staff  Gender dysphoria care at Mayo Clinic 
gender dysphoria cause adolescents adults experience marked difference inner gender identity assigned gender lasts least months  difference shown least following:   difference gender identity genitals secondary sex characteristics  breast size  voice facial hair  young adolescents  difference gender identity anticipated secondary sex characteristics  strong desire rid genitals secondary sex characteristics  desire prevent development secondary sex characteristics  strong desire genitals secondary sex characteristics gender  strong desire treated gender  strong belief typical feelings reactions gender   gender dysphoria may cause significant distress affects function social situations  work school  areas life  gender dysphoria start childhood continue adolescence adulthood  periods longer experience gender dysphoria  experience gender dysphoria time puberty later life  complications gender dysphoria can affect aspects life  including daily activities  people experiencing gender dysphoria difficulty school due pressure dress way that's associated sex assigned birth fear being harassed teased  gender dysphoria impairs ability function school work  result may school dropout unemployment  relationship difficulties common  anxiety  depression  self-harm  eating disorders  substance misuse problems can occur  people who gender dysphoria experience discrimination  resulting stress  accessing health services mental health services can difficult due fear stigma lack experienced care providers  adolescents adults gender dysphoria gender-affirming treatment risk thinking attempting suicide                   mayo clinic staff mayo clinic staff  gender dysphoria care mayo clinic 
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