Supporting Transgender Adolescents: Best Practices

The provision of gender-affirming health care is crucial to address the health disparities faced by transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adolescents. In Canada, primary care nurse practitioners play a pivotal role in hormone replacement therapy and can facilitate gender exploration among TGD youth and their families. To optimize care of this population and minimize adverse health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and suicide, nurse practitioners must address barriers to care, consider individual risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, provide early interventions, and ensure access to inclusive health care spaces. •There is a growing need for gender-affirming health care.•The population of transgender and gender-diverse adolescents is increasing.•Adolescence is a critical time to explore gender identity with consistent support.•Nurse practitioners need to address patients’ gender-affirming health care needs.