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Free keywords:
adolescence, childhood, gender dysphoria, gender identity disorder, gender incongruence, gen variance, transsexual transsexualism
Abstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the advent of medical treatments such as puberty
suppression and cross-sex hormones in gender dysphoric minors, there has
been a debate around questions of gender identity and brain development.
This review aimed to identify recent empirical studies that addressed
this controversial topic.
RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiological data from several countries indicate
that gender dysphoria in children and adolescents is far more common
than initially anticipated. This is in line with the currently observed
steady increase in referrals to gender clinics. Minors with gender
dysphoria are a vulnerable population as they may face a high
psychopathological burden. Recently published data on the long-term
outcome of puberty suppression and subsequent hormonal and surgical
treatment indicate that young people with gender dysphoria may benefit
substantially with regard to psychosocial outcomes. Brain development
studied by neuroimaging methods seems not to be disturbed by puberty
suppression.
SUMMARY: The first reports about long-term outcome in adolescents having
undergone puberty suppression have shown promising results. However, in
a substantial part of gender dysphoric minors, puberty suppression is
not indicated so far because of psychiatric comorbidity and long-term
follow-up data from these patients are still scarce.
