Gender-affirming model still based on 2014 faulty Dutch study

Abstract

The 2014 article “Young Adult Psychological Outcome After Puberty Suppression and Gender Reassignment” by de Vries, McGuire, Steensma, Wagenaar, Doreleijers and Cohen-Kettenis is the one and only positive evaluation of the gender-affirming model to cure gender dysphoria in minors and restore their well-being. After critically presenting the scarce foundations of ‘gender dysphoria’ as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this contribution examines the article’s methodology. The 2014 article does not show scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the “Dutch model”, due to subjects who left the sample group and the failure to include data subject who died. While this three-staged model with drugs for puberty suppression during ages 12-14, cross-sex hormones at 16 and sex-reassignment surgery at 18 is still not proven, it is being applied in a growing number of countries, and is even officially recommended.

Keywords: gender dysphoria, Dutch model, adolescents, transsexuality, transgenderism.

The 2014 article “Young Adult Psychological Outcome After Puberty Suppression and Gender Reassignment” by de Vries, McGuire, Steensma, Wagenaar, Doreleijers and Cohen-Kettenis is the one and only positive evaluation of the gender-affirming model to cure gender dysphoria in minors and restore their well-being. After critically presenting the scarce foundations of ‘gender dysphoria’ as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this contribution examines the article’s methodology. The 2014 article does not show scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the “Dutch model”, due to subjects who left the sample group and the failure to include data subject who died. While this three-staged model with drugs for puberty suppression during ages 12-14, cross-sex hormones at 16 and sex-reassignment surgery at 18 is still not proven, it is being applied in a growing number of countries, and is even officially recommended.

Keywords: gender dysphoria, Dutch model, adolescents, transsexuality, transgenderism.