A study published in BMC Public Health has revealed that gender-affirming surgeries in transgender individuals do not significantly improve mental health outcomes or feelings of loneliness, and actually have a negative impact upon mental health.
The research was conducted among 104 transgender individuals seeking surgery at a Hamburg surgical center and found that those who had undergone such surgeries reported no greater life satisfaction than their unoperated counterparts. Notably, these individuals also reported feeling lonelier compared to those who had not elected surgery.
The study further found that young people experiencing gender dysphoria having poorer mental health than their older counterparts. This aligns with earlier research showing that transgender youth have increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and non-suicidal self-injury. Indeed, 31% of transgender individuals reported feeling dissatisfied or extremely dissatisfied with their lives, while 1% reported feeling extremely satisfied.
Correlations between mental illness and gender dysphoria were also highlighted, with the prevalence of conditions such as schizophrenia being higher in transgender individuals than the general population. Furthermore, a 2020 study indicated that people with gender dysphoria are up to 636% more likely to have autism. Many transgender individuals report histories of trauma, abuse, and adverse childhood experiences, underlining the necessity of addressing these root causes to foster better mental health and life satisfaction.
Given these findings, the study argues for a cautious approach in managing gender dysphoria in children. It suggests that parents should consider avoiding surgical interventions or hormone injections for their children. Instead, it encourages embracing natural transitions such as puberty, which may allow for more informed decisions about gender identity in the future. This approach challenges the assertions of some within the transgender surgery industry, who argue that such interventions are necessary to prevent suicidal behaviors among transgender youth.
