Transgender people who start their hormones as teenagers have “far better” mental health than if they wait until adulthood, new research says.
Experts have found that transgender people who begin hormone treatment in adolescence had fewer suicidal thoughts, were less likely to experience major mental health disorders and had fewer problems with substance abuse than those who started hormones later in life.
The study, which was led by the Stanford University School of Medicine, gathered data from the largest-ever survey of US transgender adults where 27,715 people responded in 2015.
Researchers found that, as well as fewer mental health concerns when taking the drugs as teenagers, those who took the drugs at any age had better mental health than those who wanted them but had never received them.
Of the people surveyed, 21,598 reported they had received the hormones they wanted. Of these people, 119 began hormones at age 14 or 15; 362 at age 16 and 17 and 12,157 following their 18th birthday.
Some 8,860 people surveyed said they wanted but never received hormone therapy and acted as the control group for the study.
Odds of severe psychological distress were reduced by 222 per cent, 153 per cent and 81 per cent for those who began hormones in early adolescence, late adolescence and adulthood, respectively.
Odds of feeling suicidal in the previous year were 135 per cent lower in those who began hormones in early adolescence, 62 per cent lower in those who began in late adolescence and 21 per cent lower in those who began as adults, compared with the control group.
Dr Jack Turban, lead author on the study and expert in paediatric and adolescent psychiatry at Stanford Medicine, said: “This study is particularly relevant now because many state legislatures are introducing bills that would outlaw this kind of care for transgender youth.
“We are adding to the evidence base that shows why gender-affirming care is beneficial from a mental health perspective.”
In the UK, hormone drugs can only be given to people from the age of 16 who have been on puberty blockers for at least 12 months.
Last September, the UK Court of Appeal overturned a judgment that children under the age of 16 considering gender reassignment were unlikely to be mature enough to give informed consent to be prescribed puberty-blocking drugs.
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/transgender-hormones-teenager-mental-health-b1991724.html
trisher
Rosie51 Do you never grow tired of presenting the same old photos? I could post you a photo of a woman with a beard, but quite frankly I cba.
Those people claim to be bonafide transwomen. Are you disputing that claim?
trisher
Rosie51 Do you never grow tired of presenting the same old photos? I could post you a photo of a woman with a beard, but quite frankly I cba.
On second thoughts this comment would confirm you think neither Alex Drummond nor Danielle Muscato are women Thanks for your honesty, it's been a very long time coming! Everybody will be able to see when your real thoughts emerged.
My goodness, someone brought my abusive childhood into discussion on a previous post, another agreed and then when I said how low that was and other posters showed even though there was literally one possible context...
Every single person on that side of the debate then allowed it to be glossed over but apparently that's OK if you think you are on the "right" side of the debate so the feelings of the "wrong" don't matter.
I just can't really
So many stones flying from no better fists
It deleted part of my comment
Other posters showed shock and it was then denied even though there was one possible context
This is awful and I'm tired of being part of it just to try and care about all the people
VioletSky
My goodness, someone brought my abusive childhood into discussion on a previous post, another agreed and then when I said how low that was and other posters showed even though there was literally one possible context...
Every single person on that side of the debate then allowed it to be glossed over but apparently that's OK if you think you are on the "right" side of the debate so the feelings of the "wrong" don't matter.
I just can't really
So many stones flying from no better fists
It deleted part of my comment
Other posters showed shock and it was then denied even though there was one possible context
This is awful and I'm tired of being part of it just to try and care about all the people
I've missed that on this thread, and even going back I can't find it. Can you link to the times and dates of the posts?
Or are you referring to another thread? I don't think GN like that, threads about a thread. Are you OK you sound very disconnected? I'm sorry but I'm finding it difficult to follow what you're saying. I think most of us care about other people, I really don't think you're unique.
I just really don't understand how you can reasonably call this debate, let alone anywhere near respectful.
I'm done, no more justifying, arguing, defending or explaining from me
Well done for trying, VioletSky. The patriarchy is strong amongst the gender critical.
VS I care about all people but I especially care about the 51% of the population that are women, who start their lives as female babies, grow into female children, then female adolescents, finally reaching maturity as women, adult human females. At every stage in life these females are subject to male dominance. At every stage they have been viewed as 'less than' their male equivalents. The fight for any vestige of equality and fair treatment has been long, hard and demanding of individual and collective suffering. Those of us that appreciate and give gratitude for those who struggled before us would be remiss if we just surrendered those hard fought for rights to any Johnny come lately who thinks they can just walk in and demand them. Male entitlement does not disappear with putting on a frock.
GagaJo I think you'll find it is males under whatever guise they choose that are driving the elimination of any female rights that have been gained. The patriarchy is especially apparent amongst TRAs, even though they are supported by so many handmaidens.
VioletSky
I just really don't understand how you can reasonably call this debate, let alone anywhere near respectful.
I'm done, no more justifying, arguing, defending or explaining from me
So no answers to my questions about when/where these posts you mention were made then? OK if that's how you want to play it.
There are so many better ways of expressing that than viewing others as "less" for having a different view.
Viewing others as "less" for being different has always and will always be an example of all the things that are wrong in society and something I will not accept as a feminist.
VioletSky
There are so many better ways of expressing that than viewing others as "less" for having a different view.
Viewing others as "less" for being different has always and will always be an example of all the things that are wrong in society and something I will not accept as a feminist.
eh? Sorry I don't understand this post. Are you saying that women haven't historically been seen as "less" than men? That women haven't had to work harder to achieve the same status as men? That the 'glass ceiling' is a fiction? That women didn't have a huge struggle to even achieve equality in the voting franchise? Wow you really are going all out against women! Hope the men appreciate it.
Rosie you just told me I am not allowed to speak of other threads and now you are demanding I do so.
You haven't given me a way forward.
Also, there isn't really any point if we are really honest.
These threads are consistantly turned into exercises in one-upmanship and the importance of our young people growing into healthy happy adults is forgotten
VioletSky
Rosie you just told me I am not allowed to speak of other threads and now you are demanding I do so.
You haven't given me a way forward.
Also, there isn't really any point if we are really honest.
These threads are consistantly turned into exercises in one-upmanship and the importance of our young people growing into healthy happy adults is forgotten
Oh VS stop with being the victim, I'm not demanding anything, you really do go in for exaggeration. I found your post about your abuse really confusing. Were you referring to another thread? Those are not my rules or instructions, they're what I understand to be GN rules, but I'm happy to be corrected. Some posters have been banned for breaking GN rules, happily I've not been in that situation.
If you would stop painting anyone who disagrees with you in such a derogatory way the "discussion" could maybe advance.
Not engaging further with anyone making assumptions, twisting words, name calling, questioning integrity or otherwise engaging disrespectfully.
I do not owe anyone an answer
VioletSky
Not engaging further with anyone making assumptions, twisting words, name calling, questioning integrity or otherwise engaging disrespectfully.
I do not owe anyone an answer
And the same goes for all the posters you have disrespected, twisted their words, questioned their integrity, or cast doubt on their 'kindness' being as magnificent as yours. Sleep well.
GagaJo
Well done for trying, VioletSky. The patriarchy is strong amongst the gender critical.
Gagajo I won't go away, these things matter, they really do, I just can't talk to some anymore as its triggering. I'm sorry for what happened to your thread
VioletSky
Not engaging further with anyone making assumptions, twisting words, name calling, questioning integrity or otherwise engaging disrespectfully.
I do not owe anyone an answer
VS Gagajo I won't go away, these things matter, they really do, I just can't talk to some anymore as its triggering. I'm sorry for what happened to your thread As it's been the two of us for the last few posts I assume this refers to me. If not please clarify to whom it does refer. I have not called anyone any names, nor any of the other transgressions you describe. To post such as this without specifics is not only despicable, it is cowardly. I'm sure most readers will appreciate this.
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Well that explains a lot really and why I'm finding things so difficult and not understanding why assumptions are made that I would never think or say, or meanings put to my words that aren't there
I can't possibly engage meaningfully against that
Thank you
VioletSky
I just really don't understand how you can reasonably call this debate, let alone anywhere near respectful.
I'm done, no more justifying, arguing, defending or explaining from me
Having read trisher’s posts recent posts ending in the one purporting to be an apology, I agree about the lack of respect.
VS, I don’t understand your posts when they refer to something I can’t find on this thread. Nor do I think your latest posts bear any relationship to the OP.
Then when I do find something I understand, like your last paragraph, it turns out not to be true, as you continue to post stuff unrelated to the OP.
I hope GJ accepts your apology for your deviation from the thread.
Not VioletSky's fault at all. It's the same old same old silencing of the gender critical. Orchestrated and deliberate.
GagaJo
Not VioletSky's fault at all. It's the same old same old silencing of the gender critical. Orchestrated and deliberate.
I’m sorry but I don’t see that I really don’t.
VS. “ *These threads are consistantly turned into exercises in one-upmanship and the importance of our young people growing into healthy happy adults is forgotten*”
. That’s not true at all. Everyone wants young people to grow up healthy and happy, why would anyone want anything else ?
Lucca
GagaJo
Not VioletSky's fault at all. It's the same old same old silencing of the gender critical. Orchestrated and deliberate.
I’m sorry but I don’t see that I really don’t.
VS. “ *These threads are consistantly turned into exercises in one-upmanship and the importance of our young people growing into healthy happy adults is forgotten*”
. That’s not true at all. Everyone wants young people to grow up healthy and happy, why would anyone want anything else ?
Apologies for a long quote but honestly - it says it all.
It’s offensive to accuse the majority of listers of not caring about the mental and physical health of young people. Offensive and untrue
It's the same old same old silencing of the gender critical. Orchestrated and deliberate
Some mistake surely? Do you mean by the gender critical gj?
Funnily enough GJ your words could be taken to support either viewpoint. I see your posts as attempts at same old silencing the gender critical, rather than what you mean it to say.
We all care about children.
Whilst the OP was being addressed most concerns were about whether teenagers should be given hormones. We are expressing concern about the welfare of children and whether effects being largely reversible is an acceptable basis for doing something potentially harmful.
Questioning figures quoted is part of a debate. Questioning the age of the research is surely acceptable, when things change so fast.
Even when Galaxy and 25Avalon pointed out that in more up to date research, (2020-2021) other countries e.g. Canada and Sweden had stopped puberty blockers for minors and given links to read about why that was happening-
genderreport.ca/ and segm.org/ and state that they are concerned about the welfare of children, I couldn’t find any acknowledgement from you about that research.
* Anyone working with young people has a duty of care. And that means being sensitive to any suggestion of trauma/mental health issues.*
I don’t think any poster on here disagrees with that. Showing concern that treatment may be harmful does not mean posters don’t show a duty of care, anymore than posters supporting early medication don’t feel they’re showing a duty of care.
I’m working my way through the rest of the posts, but they seem to go seriously off track.
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