It is the recommended course of treatment for individuals struggling with gender dysphoria, providing improved mental health outcomes in the majority of people.
[1] A social transition may include coming out as transgender,[a] using a new name and pronouns, and changing one's public gender expression.
In recent years, there has been a push for an informed consent model of transgender healthcare which allows adults to access HRT without a formal diagnosis.
People may choose elements based on their own gender identity, body image, personality, finances, and sometimes the attitudes of others.
The newly out trans person may adopt a new name, ask to be referred to with a new set of pronouns, and change their presentation to better reflect their identity.
[24][25] Socially transitioning does not involve medical intervention or gender affirming surgery, but it may be a prerequisite to access transgender healthcare in some regions.
A person's ideas about gender in general may change as part of their transition, which may affect their religious, philosophical and/or political beliefs.
[25] Some regions also allow one's legal sex marker changed on documents such as driver licenses, birth certificates, and passports.