Medical options
Some gender diverse children may feel intensely distressed about their bodies as puberty approaches. If this is the case for your child, there are support and medical care options available to them at various stages of development.
Readiness assessment
It is a big decision to start puberty blockers A group of medications for youth that temporarily suppress or inhibit puberty by suppressing the production of sex hormones and preventing development of secondary sex characteristics. or hormone therapy. Care planning Process that a person, their health care providers, family and other supporters undertake in planning to reach their gender-affirming care goals. (which includes a readiness assessment An evaluation conducted by a health care professional to determine if a patient is ready to begin hormone therapy or have gender-affirming surgery. ) is the first step in the process of accessing gender-affirming care Processes through which a health care system cares for and supports an individual while recognizing and acknowledging their gender and expression. . What this looks like for your child will depend on your child and family’s care needs. As these processes can take time, you may want to get to know the steps involved in accessing gender-affirming care.
For more information about readiness assessment and accessing gender-affirming care, visit our section on How to Start Hormone Therapy.
Puberty blockers
Puberty blockers A group of medications for youth that temporarily suppress or inhibit puberty by suppressing the production of sex hormones and preventing development of secondary sex characteristics. are medications that suppress the sex hormones Hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, that affect sexual and reproductive development or function. produced by the body — they put puberty on pause. They can prevent changes such as voice lowering, breast growth and periods. These medications may be started soon after puberty begins.
For more detailed information, see our Puberty Blockers page.
Hormone therapy
Some youth who take puberty blockers A group of medications for youth that temporarily suppress or inhibit puberty by suppressing the production of sex hormones and preventing development of secondary sex characteristics. early in adolescence go on to initiate hormone therapy when they are older. Youth who have not taken puberty blockers may also access hormone therapy. Hormone therapy allows people to develop secondary sex characteristics Physical traits that develop after sexual maturity (puberty), such as facial hair growth, deepening of the voice or breast development. that are in line with their gender identity A person's deeply held, internal sense of themself as male, female, a blend of both or neither. (Source: GenderSpectrum.org) .
For more information, see our Hormone Therapy page.
Gender-affirming surgeries
Gender-affirming surgeries are procedures that some older adolescents and adults may access as a treatment for gender incongruence A mismatch between a person's gender and the sex they were assigned at birth. and dysphoria.
To learn more about surgery, see our Surgery pages.
Gender health care options
You have the right to accurate, evidence-based information about gender health and care options. If you or your family member are having trouble locating gender-affirming care Processes through which a health care system cares for and supports an individual while recognizing and acknowledging their gender and expression. , please Contact Us for information about pathways to care in B.C.
Contact our team of experienced health navigators for information about gender-affirming care in B.C.