Gender dysphoria is the **distress** or **discomfort** that a person experiences due to a **mismatch** between their **gender identity** —their personal sense of their own gender —and their **sex assigned at birth**⁴. Gender identity refers to our sense of who we are and how we see and describe ourselves³. Some people may have a strong, lasting desire to live a life that matches or expresses their gender identity, while others may not³. Gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, but some people may develop mental health problems because of it³. Gender dysphoria can affect many aspects of life, including daily activities, relationships, school, work and health². Gender dysphoria can be treated with psychological support, hormone therapy and sometimes surgery, depending on the person's needs and preferences.