Following the Newsnight segment on “detransitioners”, we’ve listed some evidence-based research about transition ‘regret’ that representatives of the Tavistock and Portman gender identity clinic could have cited on the programme….
1. This research by Prof. Dr P. T. Cohen-Kettenis, VU University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Psychology, shows that of 162 trans adults, only 1 reported they would choose not to transition again. Another had some regrets but would choose to transition again (0.6% regret rate) Sex reassignment: outcomes and predictors of treatment for adolescent and adult transsexuals. You can read the research: “Sex reassignment: outcomes and predictors of treatment for adolescent and adult transsexuals” here.
2. Cecilia Dhejne, at the Center for Psychiatric Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, found that of people undergoing SRS, regret was about 2.2% and there was a significant decline of regret over time. An analysis of all applications for sex reassignment surgery in Sweden, 1960-2010: prevalence, incidence, and regrets. You can read their paper: “An analysis of all applications for sex reassignment surgery in Sweden, 1960-2010: prevalence, incidence, and regrets.” here.
3. Research by Prof Christina Richards; “Detransition rates in a national UK Gender Identity Clinic” has shown that less than 1% of the 3,398 trans patients who accessed NHS support went on to detransition. This was presented at WPATH and was conducted at the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
4. This study by the Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Göteborg University, Sweden, found that the most common reason for detransition is the person couldn’t cope with the family and community support they lost and the experiences of transphobia. Read the paper: “Factors predictive of regret in sex reassignment.” here.
5. It needs to be remembered that there are also many incidents of trans people detransitioning who then retransition later on. This article “I detransitioned because of transphobia, but I always knew I am a woman. Now I’m living as my authentic self” provides a first-hand account by a transgender woman, Kate Hutchinson, from Diversity Role Models, who detransitioned then retransitioned again.
Kate Hutchinson – Diversity Role Models
6. Recognising and supporting trans people who choose a different pathway is crucial, but as Lui Asquith from Mermaids importantly stated; we need to make sure that their experiences aren’t cited as a reason to not provide internationally recognised treatment for those trans people who need it.
"You can't make someone be trans."
Lui from @Mermaids_Gender says the transitioning process is “rigorous” and that the experiences of detransitioners should not be used to suggest that people are “being pressured or made into being trans"#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/yqiQVOL2mr
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) November 25, 2019
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I have stopped hormones since 1994-5 and still have limited body changes leftover, Do I regret the issue simply yes, I would love to be still on the pills and go through but I got involved with someone and we live trans aware. She is a fully developed female and I am still in a state of flux. Although reading the research on regret is an issue in some of the pre-op trans. But I feel that the whole of my life has been living on the edge of a blade that splits you in half and because of society and issues with accepting trans people I decided to stay male. It is something I regret and I wish for fuller body changes then I have. I enjoyed that freedom as I came out back in the pre-internet days. (sorry if this is a bit confusing the spellchecker is having a field day) I wish that things for trans people would be more open and about time we had a soap with someone with trans issues on the television. Perhaps those that follow such programmes might learn more. I must admit being a soap-free house leads to many people not turning up to catch one of the soaps. I feel a lot better mentally not watching the soaps and the storylines they have.
But regret can lead to serious problems and many have used the hormones and sterilised themselves in the process, loss of sex drive and other things soon change a person. I found it to be a blessing as I could think more freely without the sexual pressure placed on me. So, what if I looked down there and it was gone? I would not miss it, it has given other women enjoyment over my 66 years and I had problems with the act as I felt different. But would I regret it not being there, easy to say no when you are on the other side of things? Once done it is gone, finished with and then you wonder about other things. I wonder if it will hurt having sex, well I guess it will. All women have to endure that and it turns to pleasure after the right effort is used. If anything I wonder more about my looks then the changes. We tend not to look after our faces etc. Well, Men just do not, unless you are a footballer it seems on the TV ads.
I learn of post-op trans simply leaving the community once they are complete. There lies another problem, you have used the friends for support and then you are turning away as it is no longer needed. I think you might feel that you need them more as you are now in a different world and at first you might be accepted by non-trans people, but they are just curious about your transition and it soon wears off. In the period of my absence from the treatment, I am still worried that things have not moved on at GIC’s. Stories of candidates not getting the right treatment and also the extra demand on the services of the clinics has given to longer periods between appointments, something that is a major issue to a trans person as the panic to change is becoming an urge. But when you read the papers and the 1-2% rate is very low compared to other treatments. Which leads to education and your decision on the op.
Education is reading issues that arise after you are no longer that gender. Personally, before I met my partner I was reading as much as I could. I did not take the decision lightly and was honest with others. My partner knew from the start. I feel that I would have to go off and find a quiet place for a week or so to read and study things. Of course, back then it involved tracking down papers etc in hard copy. Not like today. I had access to a university library at a medical school and managed to find papers while studying and part of a project. This electronic doorway is such a major help to the trans community. Whatever your doubts, issues etc. Research your path well. Let’s get that 1% to zero.