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We need to stop calling it 'gender dysphoria.' It's body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Research shows that women & girls overwhelmingly experience BDD. Gender dysphoria is an 'inclusive' term that facilitates normalization of male paraphilias, erasing the sex-based nature of BDD.
Eating disorders, a common type of BDD, have the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder. Research on sex differences varies but tends to reveal that women and girls account for as much as 90% of diagnoses.
There has been a sharp rise in teenage girls undergoing labiaplasty, or cosmetic female genital mutilation. Dr Gemma Sharp, researcher at Monash University in Melbourne, says the most commonly reported reason was discomfort with appearance. https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/teenager/teen-development/alarming-trend-sees-young-girls-wanting-barbie-genitals/news-story/997ce13ec42558bf65987c2674a1fcf9
Teen girls who manipulate their photos tend to be more preoccupied with body image. Also, teen girls with BDD turn to social media in search of validation. In 2017, 55% of plastic surgeons dealt with people seeking “to improve their appearance in selfies.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322706
Social media abets dysphoria, particularly among girls and women. This has been known for decades; links between media and anorexia in girls have been widely researched. This must be taken into consideration in discussions of BDD. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-you-let-your-teenager-get-plastic-surgery-2018-08-29
As opposed to females, the vast majority of males who self-report experiencing 'gender dysphoria' do not seem to suffer from BDD, which can be crippling and deadly. They retain genitals, and may opt for add-ons such as fillers and implants. https://fairplayforwomen.com/penis/
