Authors: Turban, J. L., King, D., Carswell, J. M., & Keuroghlian, A. S.

Date of publication: 2020

Journal: Pediatrics



Summary: This US study examined the association between access to hormones for suppression of puberty during the teenage years and adult mental health outcomes. The researchers asked 20,619 gender diverse adults aged 18 to 36 years whether they had accessed treatment to suppress puberty as teenagers and also asked them to report on their current mental health such as their levels of psychological distress and substance use and history of suicidal thoughts and attempts. They also ruled out other factors that may impact on mental health such as level of family support, age, race, gender identity and education level. The researchers found that those who received treatment with pubertal suppression, when compared with those who wanted it but did not receive it, had lower odds of past-year suicidal thoughts, lifetime suicidal thoughts, and past-month severe psychological distress. The researchers concluded that pubertal suppression for gender diverse teenagers who want this treatment is associated with favourable mental health outcomes.



You can read the full study here