Gender-affirming hormone therapy protects mental health of transgender, nonbinary youth

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) seems to improve psychological wellbeing among transgender and nonbinary youth, a recent study has found.

The researchers drew data from a 2020 survey of youth (aged 13–24 years) identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. The present analysis focused on 11,914 transgender or nonbinary youth, in whom GAHT use preferences were known. Outcomes included depression, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts.

Half of the participants said that they were not using GAHT but would otherwise like to receive it, while 36 percent showed no interest in taking GAHT. Meanwhile, only 14 percent were on GAHT. Bivariate analysis found GAHT recipients to be older and were more likely to struggle meeting their basic needs. Of note, nearly 80 percent of GAHT users said they also had parental support for their gender identity.

In terms of psychological impacts, GAHT users were much less likely to report recent depression (61 percent vs 75 percent) compared to those who wanted to take GAHT but were not able to. Similarly, the former group showed lower rates of seriously contemplating suicide (44 percent vs 57 percent) and attempting suicide (15 percent vs 23 percent) in the past year.

Adjusted logistic regression analysis confirmed that the receipt of GAHT was a significant protective factor against depression (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.73; p<0.001) and seriously considering suicide in the past year (adjusted OR, 0.74; p<0.001).

“Given the well-documented risks of negative mental health and suicide among transgender and nonbinary youth, it is necessary that those serving these youth provide care that is patient-centred, affirming, and evidence-based,” the researchers said.