Anti-transgender activists are making a lot of noise about trans people regretting transitioning and detransition rates. The fact is that only a tiny minority of trans people who have transitioned regret their decision, and most of those who do express regret do so because of social harassment.
Indeed, evidence suggests that less than 1% of transgender people who undergo gender-affirming surgery report regret. Keep in mind that 14.4% of the broader regret similar surgeries.
A meta-study of existing research gave the following summary back in 2021:
“A total of 27 studies, pooling 7928 transgender patients who underwent any type of GAS [gender-affirmation surgeries], were included. The pooled prevalence of regret after GAS was 1% (95% CI <1%–2%). Overall, 33% underwent transmasculine procedures and 67% transfemenine procedures. The prevalence of regret among patients undergoing transmasculine and transfemenine surgeries was <1% (IC <1%–<1%) and 1% (CI <1%–2%), respectively.”
We have collected some must read resources documenting what we know about regret rates. The links are gathered from our Essential Transgender Reading Flipboard Magazine.
Not all who transition do get gender-affirming surgeries, so keep that in mind when you look at the following articles and papers. The numbers are not always directly comparable.
Transgender regret is very rare, indeed
More people regret having children than having gender-affirming care, study finds.
Landmark Systematic Review Of Trans Surgery: Regret Rate “Remarkably Low”.
A thematic analysis of disinformation in gender-affirming healthcare bans in the United States.
The 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey, conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, reveals significant life satisfaction among over 92,000 transgender individuals post-transition, despite facing widespread discrimination and legislative challenges.
“80% of Transgender Kids Detransition” debunked (video).
No trans regrets: What the Cass report gets wrong.
https://rejserin.medium.com/no-trans-regrets-what-the-cass-report-gets-wrong-c680f81e4985
Over 90,000 Satisfied Responses In Trans Survey; Largest Detrans Survey Only Had 100.
Fact Check: No, A New Study Does Not Show “Being Trans Is Just A Phase”.
Big survey shows that 94% of transgender Americans who have transitioned are happy with their choice.
Some conservatives say transgender people regret surgery. A new study says otherwise.
Regret after Gender-affirmation Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prevalence.
Right-wing media wield detransitioners to bolster anti-trans campaign ahead of 2024 election.
A new study was published showing that transgender people who opt for top surgery have very little regret. Conservatives are predictably outraged at the conclusion, going as far as to blame science.
Understanding ‘social contagion theory’ and what it means for trans kids.
Groundbreaking Study Shows Extremely Low Detransition Rates With Innovative Methodology.
Transgender and nonbinary patients have no regrets about top surgery, small study finds.
Yet again another study debunked the myth that trans adolescents should not receive puberty blockers.
American Medical Association Strengthens Support for Gender-Affirming Care.
Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care.
Most trans adults say transitioning made them more satisfied with their lives.
Majority of trans adults are happier after transitioning, survey finds.
Regret after Gender-Affirming Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Multifaceted Patient Experience.
Two new studies reveal misconceptions surrounding transitioning and retransitioning for Trans and non-binary youth.
Here’s just some of the research that’s been carried out in the last 5 years supporting the finding that Trans healthcare is healthcare
Reframing “Transgender Desistance” Debates.
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Has a Positive Impact on Well-Being.
Gender Identity 5 Years After Social Transition.
New Study Finds Trans Children That Undergo Gender-Affirming Care Rarely Change Their Minds.
It’s time for the 80 percent desistance figure to be relegated to the same junk science bin as the utterly discredited link between vaccines and autism.
5 Myths About Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Kids, Debunked.
New Study: Trans Youth Satisfied 6-10 Years Later With Very Low Loss To Follow Up
Mental health benefits of gender-affirming hormones for teens persist for two years in new study.
Puberty blockers drastically cut suicide risk in trans kids, yet another study finds.
“Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” Republished In Junk-Science Journal With A Shady Record.
Evidence Undermines ‘Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria’ Claims.
Transgender Youth on Puberty Blockers and Gender-Affirming Hormones Have Lower Rates of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts.
Puberty Blockers: A Review of GnRH Analogues in Transgender Youth.
https://transfemscience.org/articles/puberty-blockers/
Groundbreaking Study Confirms Positive Effects of Hormone Therapy for Trans Youth.
Detransition, Retransition, and What Everyone Gets Wrong.
The NYT Asks: Why Are There So Few Detrans Activists?
All the Evidence Against Transgender Social Contagion.
Detransition, Desistance, and Disinformation: A Guide for Understanding Transgender Children Debates.
I’m A Trans Person That Helped Found a “Detransition Advocacy” Organization.
Four recent studies confirm benefits of medical transition for trans adolescents.
An overview of literature on transgender people transitioning.
Very few trans people detransition. Here’s the real data on “the regretters”.
New Study Shows Discrimination, Stigma, and Family Pressure Drive “Detransition” Among Transgender People.
For the first time, a randomized controlled trial has been completed on gender affirming care and the results are stunning: 55% of those on care saw reduction of suicidality vs 5% of control.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation Releases New Data Highlighting the Negative Impact of Gender-Affirming Care Bans on LGBTQ+ Adults.
How a Few Stories of Regret Fuel the Push to Restrict Gender Transition Care.
How Common is Detransition? A Review of all the Evidence.
Busting the myths around transition regret and detransition.
