gender dysphoria

American  

[jen-der dis-fawr-ee-uh] / ˈdʒɛn dər dɪsˌfɔr i ə /

noun

1. a psychological condition marked by significant emotional distress and impairment in life functioning, caused by a lack of congruence between gender identity and sex assigned at birth.

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gender dysphoria British  

noun

1. a condition in which a person feels uncertainty or anxiety about his or her birth gender

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Sensitive Note

Some transgender individuals and their advocates object to the use of the word "disorder" to describe this condition and therefore reject use of the variant term gender identity disorder, which was once used more widely. However, others feel that classifying it as a disorder may facilitate access to medical care related to the condition.

Etymology

Origin of gender dysphoria

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gender dysphoria

The study looks at how both groups fared, and it compares them to Finnish peers who were never referred for assessment or treatment related to gender dysphoria.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

Asked about why the number of children and young people who have gender dysphoria is increasing, Cass said it was "complex" but there was a different cultural context, with people "less locked into gender stereotypes".

From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026

They were used to treat some young people with gender incongruence - when someone's gender doesn't match the sex they were registered at birth - or with gender dysphoria, when it causes significant distress.

From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2025

Mainstream U.S. medical associations have supported gender-affirming care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria for years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025

Justice Sonia Sotomayor was compelled to explain the anguish and suffering of kids denied medical care, describing one child whose gender dysphoria made him throw up every day and go “almost mute.”

From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2024