Sharp Increase in Medical and Surgical Interventions on Minors for Gender Transition Sparks Debate
Significant Rise in Gender Reassignment Procedures on Minors
The nonprofit Do No Harm reports a sharp rise in gender reassignment procedures on minors. Since 2019, 13,394 minors aged 17.5 years or younger have undergone some form of gender-related intervention. These procedures include hormone treatments and complex surgeries, raising serious ethical and medical concerns. With half of U.S. states now imposing restrictions or bans, the topic has sparked nationwide debate.
Medical Interventions and Complications
The procedures include puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgeries like mastectomies and phalloplasties. Phalloplasty involves constructing a penis using skin grafts, often with severe health risks. Complications from these procedures can include infections, nerve damage, and loss of sensation. Do No Harm reported 4,160 breast removals and 660 phalloplasties on minors between 2019 and 2023. Director Michelle Havrilla warns of lifelong complications for many young patients.
Geographic Trends and Legal Restrictions
Data from Do No Harm shows wide variations across states. California, New York, Washington, and Ohio account for 40% of total procedures on minors. California leads with 2,083 procedures but ranks lower on a per capita basis. Oregon has the highest rate per capita, with one procedure per 4,713 residents. Some states, like Montana and Alabama, have recently banned procedures, but providers continue to bill for these treatments.
The Financial Costs of Gender Procedures
The financial costs of these procedures on minors have drawn attention. Massachusetts medical centers billed $10 million for gender-related treatments on minors, despite performing fewer surgeries than other states. California, with the highest billing, recorded $29 million in charges. New York followed with $19 million. These figures reflect the economic weight of gender reassignment treatments.
Database of Hospitals Providing Youth Gender Procedures
Do No Harm has launched a database, “Does my hospital transition kids?” It lists 225 hospitals where gender-related procedures are performed on minors. Leading hospitals include Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Children’s Minnesota. This database allows parents and policymakers to access information on the prevalence of these procedures.
Broader Debate on Gender-Affirming Care for Youth
The debate over gender-affirming care for minors continues to divide communities. Supporters emphasize the mental health benefits of these treatments. Opponents argue that the procedures cause irreversible changes, often with lifelong effects. Do No Harm’s data raises important questions about the medical and ethical implications of these treatments on young patients.
These findings prompt new discussions about the future of gender care for minors in the U.S.
About the Author
