child-and-adolescent-gender-center-2x
Adolescent HealthEndocrinology & Diabetes

Child & Adolescent Gender Center

The UCSF Child and Adolescent Gender Center (CAGC) offers comprehensive medical and psychological care, as well as advocacy and legal support, to transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and adolescents. We bring together experts from both UCSF and elsewhere to promote gender health and positive outcomes for children and adolescents exploring gender identity and expression.

The CAGC accepts new patients ages 3 to 17. Before the onset of puberty, our care focuses strictly on social and emotional development, and we don’t offer gender-affirming medical treatments. Once a patient reaches puberty, gender-affirming medical treatments may be considered following a thorough mental health assessment by a gender specialist.

Our program is housed within the UCSF Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, enabling us to offer the most advanced medical care. If appropriate, and only in adolescents who have begun puberty, treatment may include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (puberty blockers), medications that can safely suppress pubertal changes by blocking production of the principal sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone.

This fully reversible treatment gives young people time to achieve greater awareness of their gender identity without going through irreversible physical changes that may not align with their gender identity. For adolescents seeking gender care support at our clinic, our experts may prescribe gender-affirming sex hormones only after a mental health assessment by a gender specialist.

The CAGC does not provide gender-affirming surgeries. We refer older adolescents and young adults who are considering gender-affirming surgery to medical providers outside the CAGC. 

The CAGC has locations in San Francisco, Oakland and San Ramon. For more information, call (415) 353-7337.

Adults can receive care from the UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program. Please call (415) 885-7770 for information.

Our specialties

Pediatric Endocrinology

Adolescent Medicine

Psychology

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Social Work

Nursing

Awards & recognition

  • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals for Diabetes and Endocrinology, 2024-2025

    One of the nation's best for endocrinology & diabetes care

  • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals Ranked in 11 Specialties, 2024-2025

    Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties

Plan your visit

Preparing for your appointment

What to Bring

  • Photo I.D.
  • Health insurance card
  • Insurance authorization, if required
  • Doctor's referral, if required
  • Recent test results related to your child's condition
  • List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
  • List of questions you may have
  • Device or paper for taking notes

For visitors

Before you head to the hospital, check out our guidelines for visitors and caregivers.

your-stay-2x

Your Stay

We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.

Learn more
your-childs-care-team-2x

Your Child's Care Team

Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.

Learn more
interpreters-2x

Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

Learn more

Support services

View All

Child Life Services

Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.

Child Life

Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.

Family Amenities

Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.

social-services-2x

Social Services

Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.

activity-rooms-2x

Activity Rooms

Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.

art-therapy-program-2x

Art Therapy

Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.

music-program-2x

Music Therapy Program

Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.

school-program-2x

School Program

Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.

school-re-entry-program-2x

School Re-Entry Program

We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.

individual-playtime-and-tutoring-2x

Individual Playtime & Instruction

If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.

interpreters-2x

Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

Family Resource Center

We help families cope with the challenges of childhood illness and hospitalization in a relaxing environment where parents can get a much-needed break.

family-support-program-2x

Parent Support Program

Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.

patient-relations-2x

Patient Relations

Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.

spiritual-care-2x

Spiritual Care

Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.

international-services-2x

International Services

If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.

Our research initiatives

  • ucsf-division-of-adolescent-and-young-adult-medicine-research-2x

    UCSF Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine Research

    Learn more

Stress-free visits

Accommodations. Admissions. Procedure prep. Get the info you need for smoother hospital stays.

Prepare for your child's stay

Share