A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine joins the growing body of evidence that Gender-Affirming Healthcare improves trans adolescents and teenagers’ mental health.
New Study Serves as Further Evidence of the Benefits of Gender-Affirming Healthcare
The US study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that gender-affirming healthcare significantly improved trans and non-binary adolescents and teenagers’ mental health and appearance congruence – referring to body image and body dysphoria. Researchers examined the psychosocial functioning in trans youth, two years after starting gender-affirming treatment.
315 trans and non-binary people from the US aged between 12 and 20 participated in the research. Out of the total number of participants, 190 were transmasculine and assigned female at birth (60.3%), whereas the remaining were assigned male at birth. 58.7% were non-Latinx or non-Latine White and 25 participants had previously taken puberty blockers.
Throughout the 2 year-long study, trans healthcare positively affected participants’ relationship to their appearance. Their life satisfaction also increased, while symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased.
This is a major study, and the largest so far of its kind. It showed that the mental health of young trans people is dependent on access to gender-affirming healthcare. There are countless other studies and research that cooperate with this result. Gender-affirming surgeries have also shown similar findings. A 2022 study confirmed that top surgery improves chest dysphoria and body image in young transmasculine people.
The Body of Evidence in Favour of Gender Affirming Healthcare Continues to Grow
Once again, another study has confirmed that gender-affirming healthcare positively impacts the mental health of trans non-binary people.
However, Governments continue to restrict access to this life-enabling, and life-saving, care.
While the academic community in the United States oftenleads the way on understanding the impact of supporting trans youths, trans minors in Florida cannot access gender-affirming healthcare. In January of 2023 Oklahoma also banned all gender-related care for trans people under the age of 26. America’s anti-trans laws and bills negatively affect trans people who are simply trying to live their lives as themselves.
By limiting access to trans healthcare, US Governments are actively putting trans people in danger. This affects especially trans children and teenagers. US national medical associations, like the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all support gender-affirming medical care. They deem it as safe, effective, and proven to save trans people’s lives.
If you are trans, or are exploring your gender identity, wherever you are in the world GenderGP is here for you.
If you would like to chat to a member of our team about your own needs, or you are the parent of a youth who needs support, then you can book a session with a member of the GenderGP team here. Our highly-trained team, many of whom have lived experience of what you are going through as they are themselves trans, are specialists in Gender Affirming Care and will do their utmost to provide you with the support you need.