Many people may not be familiar with the term “gender dysphoria,” yet it is an important concept for parents and society to understand. For minors experiencing gender dysphoria, the challenges can be profound, often leading them to pursue gender-affirming treatments.
What Is Gender Dysphoria?
According to American Phychiatric Association, gender dysphoria is defined in the DSM-5-TR as clinically significant distress or impairment related to gender incongruence—which may include a strong desire to change primary and/or secondary sex characteristics.
The Rising Prevalence of Gender Dysphoria Among Minors
Data shows that 1.4% of teenagers (ages 13-17) identify as transgender, equating to approximately 300,000 young individuals experiencing gender dysphoria in the U.S. From 2017 to 2021, the number of diagnoses among children and adolescents nearly tripled, rising from 15,172 cases in 2017 to 42,167 in 2021. Recently, The Guardian revealed a fiftyfold increase over the past decade in children and young people diagnosed with gender dysphoria by general practitioners in England.
The Emergence of Gender-Affirming Care
As gender dysphoria cases rise, gender-affirming care has become a widely discussed approach, particularly promoted by LGBTQ+ organizations. This patient-centered model aims to align an individual’s outward physical traits with their gender identity.
For example, the Los Angeles LGBT Center (“the center”) provides such services and various programs on their official website. Their Transgender Health Program offers “hormone therapy, including education and management; pre- and post-surgical care; trans-sensitive pap smears, pelvic exams, prostate exams, and more.” according to the Los Angeles LGBT Center website.
Additionally, their Lifeworks Mentorship Program provides guidance for individuals in need of support. Financial records show that in 2023, the center generated $162 million in revenue, with 62.5% derived from program services.
Debates Over Gender-Affirming Medication for Minors
Puberty blockers and hormone therapy have become key treatments for young individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. Puberty blockers are hormonal medications designed to suppress sex hormones in adolescents, delaying puberty and its associated physical changes. Hormone therapy, on the other hand, involves the use of masculinizing or feminizing hormones to develop secondary sex characteristics that align with an individual’s gender identity.
However, medical and ethical debates persist regarding the risks and benefits of these treatments for minors.
In the United States, access to gender-affirming medication for minors is restricted in most states. NBC News recently reported that less than 0.1% of adolescents with private insurance receive puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
Nevertheless, the latest news showed people gathered in Los Angeles when Children’s Hospital Los Angeles paused new hormone therapy treatments for transgender youth, prompting concerns from LGBTQ+ advocates.
“To see that they have stopped accepting new patients was so disheartening because we know that [CHLA] is a lifeline to so many young people and their families who are in need of such critical care,” said Joe Hollendoner on KABC-TV, the CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
In Australia, the Queensland government launched an investigation after reports that gender-affirming hormones were prescribed to children as young as 12 years old without necessary authorization.
In Finland, public health officials recommended in 2020 that minors first receive psychological support before considering medical intervention.
Rising Concerns Over Regret and Long-Term Effects
A major Finnish study examined 1,359 patients who began cross-sex hormone therapy between 1996 and 2019. It showed nearly three times as many individuals discontinued hormone treatment between 2013 and 2019 compared to earlier years. Meanwhile, The percentage of patients who stopped hormone therapy within two years increased from 1.3% (1996-2005) to 2.9% (2013-2019).
In conclusion, there is currently no definitive scientific consensus on whether gender-affirming care is ultimately beneficial or harmful for minors experiencing gender-related distress. Given the permanent and life-altering nature of some treatments, decisions regarding medical intervention should be made with extreme caution and a comprehensive understanding of potential risks.
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