Johannes Fuss1, Matthias K Auer, Peer Briken. 1. aInstitute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg bNeuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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.
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.
Authors: Maria Giuseppina Petruzzelli; Lucia Margari; Flora Furente; Lucia Marzulli; Francesco Maria Piarulli; Anna Margari; Sara Ivagnes; Elisabetta Lavorato; Emilia Matera Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-06-09 Impact factor: 4.964
Authors: Matthias K Auer; Rainer Hellweg; Peer Briken; Günter K Stalla; Guy T'Sjoen; Johannes Fuss Journal: Biol Sex Differ Date: 2016-01-08 Impact factor: 5.027