A teen’s sexual identity is how they see themselves and the people they’re romantically or sexually attracted to. Sexual identity often is recognized by youth during the teenage years, but anxiety may result or misunderstanding may occur. Sexual identity involves:
- Gender identity: A person’s perception of self — male, female, both, or neither — which may or may not match the gender assigned at birth.
- Romantic orientation: A person's romantic attraction based on gender. It could be the opposite gender, same gender, or both genders. A person may experience romantic attraction, but not sexual attraction, or vice versa.
- Sexual orientation: A person’s sexual attraction preference, including heterosexual, homosexual (gay or lesbian), bisexual, pansexual, asexual, or queer/questioning.
Treatment
Counseling
If your child is questioning or struggling with any aspects of sexual identity, your pediatrician may recommend your child talk with a counselor or psychologist who specializes in gender and sexual identity concerns.
Why Choose UHealth?
Treating young patients from all over the world. Children and their families come from all over the world to receive quality care, compassionately delivered by outstanding pediatric specialists and other skilled medical professionals within our facilities.
Recognized for excellence in care. We have received the “Best Practice” designation from the Florida Department of Health and its Miami-Dade County branch for HIV testing and treatment services for 13 to 24-year-olds with the HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Some of our doctors have also earned the “Best Doctor in America” recognition from the American Health Council.
Top-notch care in an academic health system. Backed by one of the nation’s top universities, our team uses the latest technologies and research-driven expertise to provide your child with superior, personalized care and the best outcomes possible. We’re the only academic health center in South Florida with developmental and behavioral pediatric specialists on staff.
Involvement with research and education. Members of our adolescent medicine team are also involved in research and education, allowing us to offer the latest, innovative treatments sooner than other facilities in South Florida. We have a 24-year continual experience with national research projects concerning HIV infection in youth, adolescent sexual health, and prevention of STDs in teenagers. We’re also involved in national collaborations concerning injury prevention and health promotion.
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