Medical Study of Youth Transition Shows only 1% returned to Gender at Birth

Perth Children's Hospital / Wiki

A groundbreaking study published by renowned Jama Pediatrics on March 4, 2024, has shown that of 552 medically and socially transitioned children and youth only 1 percent returned to their gender at birth.

Perth Children's Hospital Gender Diversity Service's relative isolation in Western Australia put it in a unique position to look at the patients up to age 18 who were treated and determine their retransition rate. Out of the 995 enrolled patients who between 2014 and 2020, 552 had voluntarily closed their cases and only 1% returned to their gender as assigned at birth. 

The study Reidentification With Birth-Registered Sex in a Western Australian Pediatric Gender Clinic Cohort shows that of 548 individuals with closed referrals, 29 (5.3%) reportedly reidentified with their birth-registered sex before or during assessment. Two of these individuals reidentified during medical treatment, which corresponds to 1.0% of all patients who initiated medical treatment.

Erin Reed (Erin In The Morning) writes "The study contributes to a substantial body of literature indicating low detransition rates. A study of 317 transgender youth in the United States reported similar findings of low detransition or desistance rates, with only 2.5% of transgender youth identifying as cisgender after five years of follow-up. A Dutch study also reported comparably low rates. According to a review of literature by Cornell University, the regret rate for gender-affirming care ranges from 0.3% to 3.8%, depending on the study's methodology. However, this study stands out due to its very large sample size, data spanning six years of transgender care, and and which does not suffer from "loss to follow-up.”

Related

APA overwhelmingly passes policy supporting trans afirming healthcare and condemning transgender healthcare bans

APA overwhelmingly passes policy condemning transgender healthcare bans

APA YouTube Screenshot

The American Psychological Association, the world's largest of its kind with 157,000 members passed a policy supporting transgender Psychological and medical care. The new policy which passed overwhelmingly by a margin of 153-9 also takes the extraordinary measure of condemning transgender healthcare bans.

This policy statement affirms APA’s support for unobstructed access to health care and evidence-based clinical care for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary children, adolescents, and adults.

Furthermore, this policy statement addresses the spread of misleading and unfounded narratives that mischaracterize gender dysphoria and affirming care, likely resulting in further stigmatization, marginalization, and lack of access to psychological and medical supports for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary individuals.

“The adoption of this resolution reaffirms APA’s dedication to promoting inclusivity, dignity and access to quality health care for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression,” said APA President Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD. “It sends a clear message that state bans on gender-affirming care disregard the comprehensive body of medical and psychological research supporting the positive impact of such treatments in alleviating psychological distress and improving overall well-being for transgender, gender diverse and nonbinary individuals throughout their lives.”

Click the link for the four page APA Policy Statement on Affirming Evidence-BasedInclusive Care for Transgender, Gender Diverse,and Nonbinary Individuals, Addressing Misinformation,and the Role of Psychological Practice and Science

BREAKING! The results of the USTS 2020 survey of 93,329 trans and gender-diverse people have just been released. The survey indicates that 98% of respondents said that trans-affirming care has had a positive effect on their lives. However, nearly half of those surveyed said that they were either contemplating moving from their home state or already have due to trans care bans.