Formal diagnosis

What is a formal diagnosis?

A medical diagnosis from a specialist professional.

Why might I want a diagnosis?

You need a diagnosis to get:

• gender-related surgery in the UK
• a Gender Recognition Certificate

With a diagnosis, it can be easier to get hormone therapy, though you can access hormones without a diagnosis.

You can get a diagnosis from a NHS gender service or a private gender service. It is quicker to be diagnosed privately, but if you have an NHS diagnosis, you can get NHS funding for:

• hormone therapies
• some surgeries
• fertility preservation
• facial hair removal (except in Wales)

You don’t need a diagnosis to be trans, but it can help you accept being trans, and help you explain your identity to other people.

Why might I not want a diagnosis?

Some people do not want to be diagnosed because they feel it is pathologising (that a diagnosis feels like being told your identity is a “disease”), because they don’t agree with the way the medical system works, and just because they feel it is unnecessary to.

You don’t need a diagnosis to:

• change your name
• change the gender on your passport
• update your NHS medical record
• have facial hair removal
• have speech therapy
• access single-gender spaces
• be protected under the Gender Reassignment characteristic of the Equality Act (2010)

Remember: you don’t need a diagnosis to be trans. Your trans identity is valid whether you have been diagnosed or not.

How do I get a diagnosis?

In the UK, diagnosis is normally made by a specialist GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist at a gender service.

To get a diagnosis in the UK, you need to either self-refer to a gender service or be referred by your GP – read how to do this on our getting referred to a gender clinic page.

What diagnosis will I be given

The exact diagnosis given in the UK can vary, but common diagnoses include:

• gender dysphoria
• transsexualism
• gender incongruence
• gender identity disorder

Any of these diagnoses is enough to access medical treatment. These are all broadly synonymous from a medical perspective.

Errors or omissions

Is there something missing from this page? Have you spotted something that isn’t correct? E-mail info@transactual.org.uk to let us know.

A disclaimer: TransActual do not provide medical, health, or legal advice. The content of this page is intended for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a medical professional. It is not a substitute for advice from a legal professional. We strongly suggest you consult a healthcare professional or legal professional for specific advice about your situation. TransActual do not advocate or recommend the purchase of any specific product and we do not endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider, any product or any provider of legal services.