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Finnish Study Finds Increased Mental Health Needs After Gender Treatment in Adolescents
A 25-year Finnish study of 2,083 adolescents referred to gender clinics from 1996 to 2010 found that those receiving medical gender treatments, such as hormones or surgery, experienced higher rates of mental health care needs afterward. The study, published in Acta Paediatrica, reported that psychiatric needs did not decrease post-treatment and may have increased in some cases.
Apr 10, 2:50 PM·1m read1 source
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The study compared the gender clinic-referred group to 18,000 under-23-year-olds not referred for gender distress.
7 percent at least two years later. The comparison group showed no similar increase, with only about 15 percent needing specialist psychiatric care over the same period. This pattern held across the entire referred group, regardless of whether they received treatment.
Researchers noted that psychiatric needs did not subside after medical gender reassignment and that treatment may have a negative impact in some instances.
“Psychiatric needs do not subside after medical gender reassignment.”
The findings come amid discussions in Britain about youth gender medicine. The Cass Review, a recent report, raised concerns about the evidence supporting treatments like puberty blockers. Officials face pressure to reform services, including a proposed clinical trial on gender treatments for children.
Legal cases have highlighted issues around informed consent for minors. The study underscores the need to address mental health conditions in this population, irrespective of gender identity.
