Individuals Treated for Gender Dysphoria with Medical and/or Surgical Transition Who Subsequently Detransitioned: A Survey of 100 Detransitioners

2021/10/19 by Lisa Littman · 195 citations
Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · #Clinical psychology #Dysphoria #Gender dysphoria #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy #Lesbian #Medicine #Mental health #Nursing #Population #Psychiatry #Psychology #Public health #Reproductive Health and Technologies #Snowball sampling #Transgender

paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02163-w

published in Archives of Sexual Behavior 50(8), 3353-3369 (Springer Science+Business Media)

openalex publication_date 2021/10/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

The study's purpose was to describe a population of individuals who experienced gender dysphoria, chose to undergo medical and/or surgical transition and then detransitioned by discontinuing medications, having surgery to reverse the effects of transition, or both. Recruitment information with a link to an anonymous survey was shared on social media, professional listservs, and via snowball sampling. Sixty-nine percent of the 100 participants were natal female and 31.0% were natal male. Reasons for detransitioning were varied and included: experiencing discrimination (23.0%); becoming more comfortable identifying as their natal sex (60.0%); having concerns about potential medical complications from transitioning (49.0%); and coming to the view that their gender dysphoria was caused by something specific such as trauma, abuse, or a mental health condition (38.0%). Homophobia or difficulty accepting themselves as lesbian, gay, or bisexual was expressed by 23.0% as a reason for transition and subsequent detransition. The majority (55.0%) felt that they did not receive an adequate evaluation from a doctor or mental health professional before starting transition and only 24.0% of respondents informed their clinicians that they had detransitioned. There are many different reasons and experiences leading to detransition. More research is needed to understand this population, determine the prevalence of detransition as an outcome of transition, meet the medical and psychological needs of this population, and better inform the process of evaluation and counseling prior to transition.

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