What is gender incongruence or gender dysphoria?
Gender incongruence describes a persistent mismatch between the gender assigned at birth and one’s own perceived gender identity. If this discrepancy leads to considerable psychological distress, this is referred to as gender dysphoria – the corresponding medical term.
Gender incongruence is not a uniformly experienced phenomenon. It expresses itself individually and in many different ways – as part of a spectrum of gender identities that cannot be reduced to the binary classification of “male” or “female”.
People with gender incongruence are born with a physical sex that was assigned to them at birth, but do not feel that this is consistent with their inner gender experience as they develop.
For example, a person with a male body can feel like a girl or a woman – or vice versa. There are also people who do not clearly identify as either male or female. These people often describe themselves as non-binary, genderqueer or use other gender-inclusive terms.
In contrast to intersexuality, where there are biological differences in the chromosome set or in the sexual characteristics, the physical characteristics of gender incongruence are usually clear. Nevertheless, one’s own body can be experienced as inappropriate or stressful.
Diagnostics and medical support
Although gender incongruence and gender dysphoria are not illnesses in the strict sense, medical and psychotherapeutic support is often useful – especially in cases of severe suffering or the desire for gender reassignment measures.
A diagnosis is a prerequisite for treatment to be covered by health insurance and therefore for medical measures to be carried out at the expense of the insurance company. In addition to the old-fashioned term “transsexualism”, the medical diagnostic terms are “gender incongruence” and “gender dysphoria”. The diagnosis takes place in the context of a confidential discussion in which the focus is on individual development, life situation and personal experience.
Interdisciplinary treatment team
At the University Hospital Zurich, an interdisciplinary team is responsible for the support and treatment of people with gender identity incongruence. We coordinate and organize medical transition support for trans people according to their individual needs.
Treatment and therapy
In addition to psychiatric support, you will also receive comprehensive information about hormonal treatment, possible surgical steps and inpatient stays as well as potential risks. The final step towards transition (gender reassignment surgery) also requires comprehensive information and support.
