Well-Being and Suicidality Among Transgender Youth After Gender-Affirming Medical Interventions

Abstract

Pubertal suppression and gender-affirming hormones have become accepted treatment in the management of gender dysphoria (GD) among transgender adolescents to relieve the distress associated with pubertal development and/or their existing secondary sex characteristics. This study is a longitudinal evaluation of the effectiveness of these approaches for improving psychological well-being and decreasing suicidality among transgender youth referred to a transgender health specialty clinic at a large children’s hospital. A total of 11 adolescents who had received pubertal suppression medication and a total of 47 youth (14 transmen and 33 transwomen; 43 adolescents and 4 young adults) who had received gender-affirming hormones were assessed at least two times: before the start of treatment and at least 3 months after treatment. After pubertal suppression medication, a non-significant increase in general well-being was observed while levels of suicidality remained the same. After gender affirming hormones, a significant increase in levels of general well-being and a significant decrease in levels of suicidality were observed. These findings suggest that pubertal suppression medication and gender-affirming hormones are valuable medical interventions with promising psychosocial outcomes for transgender youth.