Gender dysphoria in youth: A review of recent literature

Julia Cartaya, Ximena Lopez

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of review Transgender individuals including pubertal young people require hormonal therapy, in conjunction with mental health support. These youths are a unique population, with specific and individual desires and needs as they move through the physical and mental transition to the gender with which they identify. Recent findings The number of transgender youth presenting for treatment is increasing rapidly. They continue to have a high prevalence of mental health disorders, though not when supported in their sex identities by family in younger age. Older children are more susceptible to peer support or lack thereof. Treatment with gonadotropinreleasing hormone agonists remains a mainstay of early therapy, but is associated with high costs and decrease in bone mineral density; androgenic progestogens could be used as a lower cost alternative. Fertility preservation is discussed with the majority of transgender youth, but use of such services is low. Summary Transgender youth are an increasingly identified population in need of medical and mental health treatment, as well as social support throughout life.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)44-48
Number of pages5
JournalCurrent Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2018

Keywords

  • Cross-sex hormones
  • Gender dysphoria
  • Puberty suppression
  • Transgender youth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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