Gender dysphoria patients experienced ‘heightened psychological distress’ two years after surgery
Trans surgery increases mental health risks, study finds
Fox News' Alexandria Hoff reports the latest on the findings.
So-called "gender-affirming surgery" could lead to dangerous mental health effects, a new study has found.
Transgender individuals face "heightened psychological distress," including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, "partly due to stigma and lack of gender affirmation," as stated in the study, which was published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Researchers from the University of Texas set out to determine the mental health impacts from transgender people who underwent "gender-affirming surgery."
The study focused on 107,583 patients 18 and over with gender dysphoria, some who underwent surgery and others who did not.
"Gender-affirming surgery" could lead to dangerous mental health effects, a new study has found. (iStock)
They determined rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance-use disorders were "significantly higher" among those who underwent surgery, assessed two years later.
Males with surgery had depression rates of 25% compared to males without surgery (11.5%). Anxiety rates among that group were 12.8% compared to 2.6%.
Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance-use disorders were "significantly higher" among those who underwent surgery.
The same differences were seen among females, as those with surgery had 22.9% depression rates compared to 14.% in the non-surgical group.
Females who had surgery also had anxiety rates of 10.5% compared to 7.1% without surgery.
The study focused on 107,583 patients 18 and over with gender dysphoria, some who underwent surgery and others who did not. (iStock)
Surgeries that aimed to "feminize individuals" showed "particularly high" rates of depression and substance abuse two years after the procedures, the study found.
"Findings suggest the necessity for gender-sensitive mental health support following gender-affirming surgery to address post-surgical psychological risks," the researchers wrote.
‘Not a cure-all’
Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said the study findings highlight the "often overlooked" psychological risks that accompany gender-affirming surgery.
"While these surgeries can be critical in helping individuals align their physical appearance with their gender identity, they are not a cure-all for the mental health challenges many transgender individuals face," Alpert told Fox News Digital.
"These findings suggest that surgery alone doesn’t eliminate the complex psychological burdens that stem from societal stigma and personal struggles with identity," he went on.
"In fact, taking a scalpel to treat a psychological disorder can sometimes lead to more issues as the study results are elucidating."
"The push for faster access to these procedures ignores a critical reality: Long-term psychiatric support is essential." (iStock)
Florida neurosurgeon Dr. Brett Osborn agreed that "surgery is no guarantee of happiness."
"The key question remains: Is the surgery itself causing distress, or are preexisting mental health issues driving people toward it? Correlation or causation? No one knows."
Potential causes of gender dysphoria
A 2022 study showed that around 1.4 million American adults identify as transgender and about 0.6% of all American adults experience gender dysphoria.
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"The dramatic upward trend of gender dysphoria among young people in recent years should raise serious questions about the role of cultural and social influences," Alpert said.
"While increased awareness has made it easier for some children to express their struggles, we cannot ignore the possibility that social contagion, along with peer influence and social media — may be contributing to this surge."
Teens who are being treated for gender dysphoria should be "properly supported and treated with compassion" without being pressured into making "life-altering" medical decisions, Alpert advised.
"Gender-affirming surgery is aggressive, permanent and laden with risk."
Both experts caution against rushing into surgery or other irreversible decisions.
"Remember, gender-affirming surgery is aggressive, permanent and laden with risk," Osborn told Fox News Digital.
He expressed the same cautions about hormone therapy — "we’re talking about irreversible changes that demand lifelong management."
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"Too many rush into these interventions without fully understanding the consequences," he went on. "The push for faster access to these procedures ignores a critical reality: Long-term psychiatric support is essential."
Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers requesting comment.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to
