Gender Health Program

Programs Gender Health

Gender dysphoria is a condition in which someone’s experienced gender does not match the gender other people assign to him or her. Without proper care and support, adolescents with gender dysphoria are at increased risk of depression, suicide, sexually transmitted diseases and physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The Gender Health Program at Riley at IU Health strives to prevent these problems and promotes the well-being of your child.

The Gender Health Program offers comprehensive support to children, teens and young adults who have experienced gender dysphoria for longer than six months and who may or may not desire to become a different gender. We are the only gender health program in Indiana serving patients under age 21.

Members of our gender health team include adolescent medicine doctors, pediatricians, pediatric urologists, pediatric endocrinologists, psychologists and social workers. Each member of the team understands and supports our patients, serving their emotional, mental and physical health needs. We will respect the identity of your child and offer a safe space to find care.

We will create an individualized care plan to help your child feel safe, healthy and supported. We will assist your child as they make a decision about whether to transition into a different gender and will offer care for each stage of transition.

Our services include (but are not limited to):

  • Gender affirming hormone therapy
  • Treatment for menstrual suppression
  • Psychological counseling
  • Surgery consultation and coordination

Our social workers also help ensure that patients live in a safer environment and can find the community resources they need to live well.

Doctors

Doctors at Riley at IU Health strive to provide the care patients need to feel understood and supported. Learn more about the doctors with the Gender Health Program.

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    Resources

    The Gender Health Program at Riley at IU Health provides the following forms for parents, healthcare providers and personnel. We have also curated relevant resources from other websites and provided links with brief descriptions of the information that is available.

    Resources

    • GenderNexus

      This growing organization provides support for people who are gender diverse as well as their family and friends. GenderNexus also offers education, counseling and access to many other resources.

    • Indiana Youth Group

      Indiana Youth Group provides safe spaces, support groups, workshops, events and more for LGBT youth between the ages of 12 and 20.

    • Gender Expansive Kids and Company (GEKCO)

      This support group in Indianapolis supports children and youth who experience gender dysphoria. The group meets monthly.

    • Indianapolis PFLAG

      PFLAG is an organization for family, friends and allies of LGBT people. They advocate for LGBT rights, teach others about LGBT issues and offer a wide range of support groups.

    • Indiana Transgender Network

      The Indiana Transgender Network can help connect you to gender health support groups, legal and financial resources and advocacy organizations.

    • World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

      This professional organization teaches medical professionals about gender health issues, conducts research and helps shape the international standard of care for people with gender dysphoria.

    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

      This CDC webpage includes links to national resources about transgender health issues.

    • Indiana University School of Social Work

      The Indiana University School of Social Work works closely with the Gender Health Program to support the needs of children and their families.

    • Eskenazi Health Transgender Health & Wellness Program

      This program provides care and support for adults with gender health issues. Young adults who visit the Gender Health Program at Riley at IU Health experience a smooth transition to the adult program at Eskenazi.

    Related Programs & Departments

    We provide multispecialty care for a number of conditions. Below are links to our related programs & departments.

    For Health Professionals

    Refer A Patient

    Refer A Patient

    Doctors with the Gender Health Program provide education for all medical professionals about gender dysphoria, transforming the way patients are treated across Indiana. We work with primary care providers from all around the state to help children, teens and adolescents receive the support they need for a healthy life. To refer a patient, please call 317.274.8812.

    Education

    From medical student rotations to fellowships in adolescent medicine, Riley at IU Health offers opportunities for the next generation of doctors to learn about culturally competent care.

    Education Resources: