{"id":13492,"date":"2019-06-18T13:29:30","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T17:29:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/?post_type=articles&#038;p=13492"},"modified":"2025-10-31T15:12:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T19:12:48","slug":"puberty-transitioning-trans-non-binary-youth","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/puberty-transitioning-trans-non-binary-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Puberty and transitioning for trans and non-binary youth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"lead\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/gender-identity-gender-expression\/\">Gender identity and gender expression<\/a> are just two pieces of the puzzle that make up a picture of who you are. Puberty is an important piece of this puzzle, and it can be a really challenging one to put into place. For people who identify as transgender (trans) and non-binary, puberty can be an especially tough time. Learning about some of the feelings trans and non-binary people may experience during puberty \u2014 and the process of transitioning \u2014 can help us all understand this puzzle a little better.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"what-does-puberty-have-to-do-with-transitioning\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    What does puberty have to do with transitioning?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Throughout puberty, your mind and body are evolving to prepare you for things you may experience as you get older (e.g. sex, reproduction, etc.). It\u2019s like you\u2019re on the path to reach physical maturity. During this time, certain parts of your body will start to develop and change. These physical traits and sexual characteristics are likely to become much more obvious during puberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/puberty-and-female-body\/\">assigned female at birth folks<\/a>, these traits may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>wider, rounder hips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>developed breasts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>body hair growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>menstruation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>growth spurts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/puberty-and-male-body\/\">assigned male at birth folks<\/a>, these traits may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>facial hair growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>body hair growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>broadened shoulders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>deepened voice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>penis\/testes growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With these changes, a person who identifies as trans and\/or non-binary may feel even more out of place in their bodies than they did before puberty. This can happen because the sex they were assigned at birth \u2014 and the gender they are inside \u2014 don\u2019t line up. For trans and non-binary folks, this disconnect can cause feelings of distress and anguish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025-KHP-FOL-Youth_Mall_9x16_10s_26_EN.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"what-is-transitioning\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    What is transitioning?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>One way to help sort out these negative feelings is the process of transitioning. Transitioning includes adjusting how you express yourself (physically, legally, socially, etc.) in order to present the gender you truly are to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people transition and affirm their gender by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>dressing\/styling themselves in a certain way<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tailoring their exercise routine to enhance\/tone specific muscles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>removing\/letting hair grow out in specific places<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>changing their first name and\/or pronoun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people may choose a medical transition. With a medical transition, you can use hormone treatment and\/or surgery to change your body, if that\u2019s what feels right for you. Thinking about gender-affirming medical care before starting puberty can be an option for some people \u2014 it can be a way to get ahead of the changes that may happen to your body before it matures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to remember that everyone\u2019s experience with medical transitioning is unique. Some trans and non-binary folks may choose to transition, some may choose not to transition and some may not be able to transition (due to circumstance, financial situation, access to gender-affirming care, etc.). You don\u2019t have to do a medical transition to be who you are. Some people may transition socially, by using a name and pronouns which aren\u2019t on any legal documentation. You may be in a situation in which you aren\u2019t able to dress the way you\u2019d prefer, access gender-affirming medical care or legally change your name, for example, but the people in your social networks understand and respect your authentic identity. This is social transitioning.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"what-is-gender-affirming-care\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    What is gender-affirming care?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The type of support you get from folks, whether health-care providers, educators, other adults or your peers, can impact your journey, especially when it comes to feeling comfortable and confident. Whether you\u2019re making a medical transition, transitioning socially or not transitioning, gender-affirming care is when you\u2019re able to access support in which your gender identity is respected and understood, and you\u2019re able to ensure your body, name, pronouns and other parts of your life match who you truly are inside. Access to gender-affirming care may not always be available in every community across Canada. <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/our-e-mental-health-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kids Help Phone<\/a> is here for all youth from coast to coast to coast, however you identify, to offer non-judgmental mental health support, 24\/7. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"what-is-hormone-treatment\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    What is hormone treatment?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Typically, hormone blockers (a.k.a. puberty blockers) are the first line of intervention for trans and non-binary youth who are seeking medical care and have yet to begin puberty (or who are in the early stages of puberty). Puberty blockers are a type of hormone treatment. They can help trans and non-binary youth who\u2019ve yet to start puberty (or who are in the early stages of puberty) take more time to think about how they\u2019d like to express and affirm their gender identity. Puberty blockers stop the release of hormones that initiate puberty, so you don\u2019t have to go through the physical changes associated with it just yet. Use of puberty blockers is usually temporary \u2014 trans and non-binary youth may decide to stop treatment and continue with puberty or seek additional hormone therapy and\/or gender-affirming surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hormone treatment can also include the use of hormones (feminizing or masculinizing hormones) to help align your body with the gender you feel inside. You can do some research or talk to a knowledgeable health-care professional to learn more about the different types of hormones available (e.g. testosterone, estrogen, anti-androgens, etc.). Some of the results of hormone treatment can be permanent, while others can be reversible (or partly reversible). Hormone treatment should always be administered by a knowledgeable health-care professional (via an injection, gel, pill, etc.) in a dose that\u2019s right\/safe for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can talk to a knowledgeable health-care professional, visit a <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/what-sexual-health-clinic\/\">sexual health clinic<\/a> or contact your local Ministry of Health for more information about hormone treatment. You can also visit <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/resources-around-me\/\">Resources Around Me<\/a> for 2SLGBTQI+ support services near you.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2    id=\"what-is-gender-affirming-surgery\"\n    class=\"acf-block-heading \"\n    >\n    What is gender-affirming surgery?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Like hormone treatment, gender-affirming surgery is another way trans and non-binary folks can change their bodies to match their gender, if they choose to do so. There are many different options available if you\u2019re interested in exploring surgery. Gender-affirming surgeries are usually permanent, so it\u2019s important to make an informed decision that feels right for you. It\u2019s important to do some research into whether the surgery you\u2019re thinking of is covered by insurance or if an application for government funding is available. First Nations youth may be able to receive funding through <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/what-jordans-principle\/\">Jordan\u2019s Principle<\/a> if surgery is recommended by a health-care professional and they have consent from their parent\/caregiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Masculinizing surgery involves changing your body to make it look and feel more masculine. Surgical options may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>clitoral release (enlargement of the clitoris)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>chest construction (removal of breast tissue)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Feminizing surgery involves changing your body to make it look and feel more feminine. Surgical options may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>orchiectomy (removal of the testes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>breast construction (enlargement of the breasts)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>vaginoplasty (creation of a vagina and vulva)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to gender-affirming surgery or hormone treatment, it\u2019s important to talk to a knowledgeable health-care professional(s) about your options. You can ask your doctor\/surgeon\/etc. any questions you may have (e.g. about their experience providing health care to trans and non-binary folks, after-care recommendations, etc.). Your health-care provider should be supportive of your choices, make you feel comfortable and know\/be able to find answers for you. You can contact a Kids Help Phone counsellor or visit <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/resources-around-me\/\">Resources Around Me<\/a> for help finding a health-care professional(s) and for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Remember, there is no one way to express your gender identity. How you choose to represent yourself is completely up to you. Although going through a transition can be difficult, many trans people experience positive feelings (e.g. a sense of freedom, independence, peace, etc.) when their mind and body are in sync.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you have any questions about gender identity, puberty or transitioning, you can <\/em>connect with someone you trust<em>, such as a parent \/ caregiver, health-care professional or other knowledgeable person you trust. <em>Kids Help Phone recognizes that access to gender-affirming care may not be readily available in all communities across Canada.<\/em><\/em> <em>Remember, you can contact <a href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/our-e-mental-health-services\/\">Kids Help Phone<\/a> 24\/7 for support.<\/em> <em>Whoever you are, however you identify, you\u2019re welcome here.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Kids Help Phone is grateful to <a href=\"https:\/\/itgetsbettercanada.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">It Gets Better Canada<\/a> for their contributions to this page. We thank them for helping ensure young people who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ and allies have a place to Feel Out Loud. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gender identity and gender expression are just two pieces of the puzzle that make up a picture of who you are. Puberty is an important piece of this puzzle, and it can be a really challenging one to put into place. For people who identify as transgender (trans) and non-binary, puberty can be an especially [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/puberty-transitioning-trans-non-binary-youth\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"template":"","tags":[109,126,333,334,335,388,155,178],"articlecategory":[257,239,258,242],"class_list":["post-13492","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry","tag-2slgbtq","tag-puberty","tag-transitioning","tag-transgender","tag-non-binary","tag-2slgbtq-youth","tag-physical-health","tag-identity","articlecategory-identity","articlecategory-lgbtq2s","articlecategory-physical-health","articlecategory-puberty"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Puberty and transitioning for trans and non-binary youth - Kids Help Phone<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kids Help Phone shares important information about puberty and transitioning for trans and non-binary youth.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/puberty-transitioning-trans-non-binary-youth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Puberty and transitioning for trans and non-binary youth\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kids Help Phone shares important information about puberty and transitioning for trans and non-binary youth.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/get-info\/puberty-transitioning-trans-non-binary-youth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kids Help Phone\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-31T19:12:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Puberty-and-transitioning-for-trans-and-non-binary-youth_banner.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1344\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Puberty-and-transitioning-for-trans-and-non-binary-youth_banner.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Puberty and transitioning for trans and non-binary youth - 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