Well, next year we have federal elections in Oz & Canada (another outlier). Perhaps a change of government will focus some serious attention on this. In Canada, the state of Alberta has shown the way. Might something similar happen in Queensland under the LNP? The WA Libs have adopted a policy to have a review.
. . . and the ministry has stressed that the responsibility for safety and long-term effects falls on the doctors prescribing these drugs off-label for distressed minors who want to stop their natural development.
I would suggest that the NZ Ministry review the following summarised studies:
CURRENT CONCERNS ABOUT GENDER-AFFIRMING THERAPY IN ADOLESCENTS
The evidence base for gender-affirming interventions is sparce and of very low quality. While the evidence of benefits is highly uncertain, the harms to sexual and reproductive functions are certain, and many uncertainties about the long-term health effects exist. As a result, it is hard to ethically justify continuing to use hormones and surgeries as first-line treatment for gender dysphoric youth.
LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF TRANSSEXUIAL PERSONS UNDERGOING SEX
REASSIGNMENT SURGERY: COHORT STUDY IN SWEDEN
Persons with transsexualism, after sex reassignment, have considerably higher risks for mortality, suicidal behaviour, and psychiatric morbidity than the general population. Our findings suggest that sex reassignment, although alleviating gender dysphoria, may not suffice as treatment for transsexualism, and should inspire improved psychiatric and somatic care after sex reassignment for this patient group.
ALL-CAUSE & SUICIDE MORTALITIES AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS
WHO CONTACTED SPECIALISED GENDER IDENTITY SERVICES IN FINLAND 1996-2019
Analysed overall mortality and suicide among gender-referred young people in Finland over a 25-year time span. The study found no convincing evidence that gender-referred youth have statistically significantly higher suicide rates as compared to the general population, after controlling for psychiatric needs (BMJ Mental Health)
TRANSGENDER IDENTITY AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS & MORTALITY IN DENMARK
These observations suggest that not only is the suicide narrative frequently used to justify medically transitioning minors greatly exaggerated, but that medical gender transition is not an effective suicide-prevention measure. The results also suggest that treatment should focus on better control of co-occurring psychiatric illness and on evidence-based suicide-prevention measures in particular for individuals deemed at high risk for suicide.
It looks like Australia will be the last country in the world to have an independent inquiry into Gender Medicine or restrict the practice in any way.
Poor fellow, my country.
Well, next year we have federal elections in Oz & Canada (another outlier). Perhaps a change of government will focus some serious attention on this. In Canada, the state of Alberta has shown the way. Might something similar happen in Queensland under the LNP? The WA Libs have adopted a policy to have a review.
. . . and the ministry has stressed that the responsibility for safety and long-term effects falls on the doctors prescribing these drugs off-label for distressed minors who want to stop their natural development.
I would suggest that the NZ Ministry review the following summarised studies:
CURRENT CONCERNS ABOUT GENDER-AFFIRMING THERAPY IN ADOLESCENTS
The evidence base for gender-affirming interventions is sparce and of very low quality. While the evidence of benefits is highly uncertain, the harms to sexual and reproductive functions are certain, and many uncertainties about the long-term health effects exist. As a result, it is hard to ethically justify continuing to use hormones and surgeries as first-line treatment for gender dysphoric youth.
LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF TRANSSEXUIAL PERSONS UNDERGOING SEX
REASSIGNMENT SURGERY: COHORT STUDY IN SWEDEN
Persons with transsexualism, after sex reassignment, have considerably higher risks for mortality, suicidal behaviour, and psychiatric morbidity than the general population. Our findings suggest that sex reassignment, although alleviating gender dysphoria, may not suffice as treatment for transsexualism, and should inspire improved psychiatric and somatic care after sex reassignment for this patient group.
ALL-CAUSE & SUICIDE MORTALITIES AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS
WHO CONTACTED SPECIALISED GENDER IDENTITY SERVICES IN FINLAND 1996-2019
Analysed overall mortality and suicide among gender-referred young people in Finland over a 25-year time span. The study found no convincing evidence that gender-referred youth have statistically significantly higher suicide rates as compared to the general population, after controlling for psychiatric needs (BMJ Mental Health)
TRANSGENDER IDENTITY AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS & MORTALITY IN DENMARK
These observations suggest that not only is the suicide narrative frequently used to justify medically transitioning minors greatly exaggerated, but that medical gender transition is not an effective suicide-prevention measure. The results also suggest that treatment should focus on better control of co-occurring psychiatric illness and on evidence-based suicide-prevention measures in particular for individuals deemed at high risk for suicide.