Suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth have seen a significant rise in recent years, with a staggering increase of up to 72 percent in states that have implemented laws restricting their rights. The impact of these legislative actions reached a federal level when President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting federal medical support for transgender individuals aged 19 and younger. These measures have exacerbated the existing challenges faced by a demographic already grappling with higher rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide attempts compared to their nontransgender peers.
A recent study conducted in 2022 sheds light on the critical role of gender-affirming care in supporting transgender youth. This form of care, which includes interventions such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and, in rare cases, surgery, has shown promising results in improving the mental health outcomes of transgender individuals. In particular, hormone therapy has emerged as a significant factor in enhancing emotional well-being among trans youth.
Published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in January, the groundbreaking study followed 315 transgender youth between the ages of 12 and 20 over a two-year period following the initiation of hormone therapy. Emotional health, a fundamental component of mental well-being that encompasses feelings and behaviors in daily life, was closely monitored alongside appearance congruence—a measure of how closely an individual’s physical presentation aligns with their gender identity.
Positive Impact of Hormone Therapy on Emotional Health
Over the course of the study, significant improvements were observed in appearance congruence as well as five key domains of emotional health: psychological well-being, self-efficacy, social satisfaction, negative social perception, and negative affect. Participants who had previously scored at concerning levels in areas like friendship and life satisfaction saw their scores normalize within six months of commencing hormone therapy.
Jae Corman, an expert in health systems management and policy at Oregon Health & Science University, emphasized the importance of emotional health in the overall well-being of transgender youth. Corman noted the study’s contribution to existing literature that underscores the positive impact of gender-affirming care on mental health outcomes, safety, and now emotional health.
Support for Gender-Affirming Care
Despite the proven benefits of gender-affirming care for transgender youth, 23 states have enacted bans on such interventions, with two additional states prohibiting surgeries. Trump’s recent executive order further threatens access to essential care by potentially withdrawing federal funding from hospitals and eliminating coverage under Medicaid.
Medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have voiced their support for transition-related care for youth based on extensive research and clinical experience in treating gender dysphoria. These organizations emphasize the safety and efficacy of gender-affirming hormone therapy for appropriately identified individuals, debunking claims of “junk science” made by critics.
Ralph Vetters, medical director at the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Program, highlighted the importance of prioritizing the happiness, resilience, and adaptive skills of all children, transgender or cisgender. He emphasized the overall safety of gender-affirming hormone therapy for adolescents, noting that the risks associated with such treatments are typically in line with those of the individual’s affirmed gender.
In conclusion, the evidence continues to support the positive outcomes of gender-affirming care for transgender youth, with a growing body of research affirming the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy. Despite lingering concerns and legislative challenges, experts advocate for the continued access to these vital interventions, stressing the importance of prioritizing the well-being and mental health of transgender individuals.
