Adolescent development and psychosocial functioning after starting cross-sex hormones for gender dysphoria

Abstract

Purpose: To assess how adolescent development progresses and psychiatric symptoms develop among transsexual adolescents after starting cross-sex hormone treatment.

Materials and methods: Retrospective chart review among 52 adolescents who came into gender identity assessment before age 18, were diagnosed with transsexualism and started hormonal gender reassignment. The subjects were followed over the so-called real-life phase of gender reassignment.

Results: Those who did well in terms of psychiatric symptoms and functioning before cross-sex hormones mainly did well during real-life. Those who had psychiatric treatment needs or problems in school, peer relationships and managing everyday matters outside of home continued to have problems during real-life.

Conclusion: Medical gender reassignment is not enough to improve functioning and relieve psychiatric comorbidities among adolescents with gender dysphoria. Appropriate interventions are warranted for psychiatric comorbidities and problems in adolescent development.

Keywords:

• Gender dysphoria
• transsexualism
• adolescence
• adolescent development
• cross-sex hormones

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Riittakerttu Kaltiala

Riittakerttu Kaltiala, MD, PhD, BSc, is professor of adolescent psychiatry in Tampere University and chief psychiatrist in adolescent psychiatry in Tampere University Hospital.

Elias Heino

Elias Heino, cand med, studies medicine in Tampere University and participates in research on adolescent gender identity issues.

Marja Työläjärvi

Marja Työläjärvi, MD, is adolescent psychiatrist in Tampere University Hospital. Her work focuses on adolescent gender identity and forensic issues.

Laura Suomalainen

Laura Suomalainen, MD, PhD, is chief adolescent psychiatrist in the adolescent gender identity service in Helsinki University Hospital.