165. Non-Medical Body Modification (Body-Mod) Strategies Among Transgender and Gender Diverse (TG/GD) Adolescents and Young Adults

TG/GD patients presenting to gender health clinics often use Body-Mods to change the appearance of their bodies to reflect their gender identity. These methods include chest binding or padding; genital tucking or packing to modify groin contour; “pumping” with silicone to enhance lips, hips and/or buttocks; hair removal; and diet and exercise regimens. Little research has described the perceived risks and benefits of Body-Mods, or the prevalence of these methods and their medical side effects. The aims of this study are to describe 1) the types and prevalence of Body-Mods, 2) perceived risks and benefits, 3) side effects, and 4) resources used by TG/GD youth to learn about Body-Mods.