People whose gender identity or expression does not conform to the sex they were assigned at birth are transgender. While individuals may be assigned to a sex at birth based on how they present biologically, their sense of their gender may differ. A trans man is a man who was identified as female at birth, and a trans woman is a woman who was identified as male. ( Transsexual is an older term that
What Is Transgender? (Plain Language Explanation)
Transgender refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Transgender
- Symptoms: The specific ways transgender shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen transgender
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When transgender occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Transgender
- Transgender is far more common than most people realize
- Transgender is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with transgender see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about transgender is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing transgender, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.