Research Shows Gender-Reassignment Treatments Have No Mental Health Benefits, National Pediatricians Group Says

Protesters opposing medical transgender procedures for youths gather at the American Academy of Pediatrics convention in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2022. (Courtesy of TreVoices.Org/Scott Newgent)

A review of more than 60 studies has concluded that “there is no long-term evidence that mental health concerns are decreased or alleviated after ‘gender-affirming therapy,’” according to a national group of physicians.

The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) on Wednesday issued its position statement opposing the use of so-called “gender-affirming” medications, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, social transition, and surgery for youth who have a gender identity not congruent with their sex.

“We urge medical professionals and parents to affirm the truth about childhood gender dysphoria in the presence of harmful thoughts and address the underlying mental illness, adverse events, and family dysfunction,” said Dr. Jane Anderson, lead author and vice president of ACPeds, in a statement.

The group found there is substantial evidence that transgender youth suffer from high rates of mental health problems.

“From this review of the literature, there is strong evidence that children and adolescents who identify as transgender have experienced significant psychological trauma leading to their gender dysphoria,” ACPeds concluded.

ACPeds position outlines the studies that have led a number of European countries, including Finland, Norway, and Sweden, to reverse their positions and reject gender-reassignment treatments in young people.

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The group, which has long opposed gender-reassignment treatments, said it is “very concerned that parents, along with health care and educational professionals, who support the transgender ’transition‘ of children and adolescents are, in fact, contributing to increased depression by appearing to validate the children that ’something is wrong with their body and biological sex.’”

“The mental well-being of all adolescents is critical, both for them as individuals, and for the health of the family and community,” the authors wrote.

“Therefore, the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) urges parents and all health care professionals to promote and encourage prevention and treatment modalities that will assure optimal outcomes for those affected by sex/gender-identity incongruence, along with all mental illnesses.”

Medical Fact

ACPeds also affirmed “the medical fact that the sex of an individual is based upon biology and not upon thoughts or feelings.”

The so-called “transition” is not a change of sex or even a change of sexual/gender identity, but rather only a change in sexual appearance or presentation,“ they added. ”Thus, ’transgender‘ and ’transition’ are misleading and inaccurate terms, but are used in this document because of their unfortunate standard of use in the medical literature.”

Supporters of gender-reassignment treatments have argued that it saves lives by reducing suicide in youth suffering from gender dysphoria.

The physicians’ report found the rate of suicide attempts or completions was high among those who have received gender-reassignment interventions.

“A study which purported to show a ‘lifetime suicidal ideation’ reduction in those who received puberty blockers actually found twice as many serious suicidal attempts in participants who received the blockers than those who just wished they had received them,” according to ACPeds’ “Position Summary Fact Sheet: Mental Health of Gender Incongruent Youth.”

The decision to transition during adolescence comes with “life-long consequences, including possible sterility and loss of sexual function,” and there should be more support for those seeking to detransition, the report said.

Intensive Psychotherapy Recommended

Reassuring gender dysphoric children to embrace their biological sex, as well as addressing mental illness and other adverse childhood events, is recommended to avoid harmful long-term consequences of gender-affirming treatments, the authors explained.

“Therefore, the ACPeds cannot condone the social affirmation, medical intervention, or surgical mutilation of children and adolescents identifying as transgender or gender nonconforming,” they wrote.

“Rather, intensive psychotherapy for the individual and family to determine and hopefully treat the underlying etiology of their gender incongruence should be pursued.”