Some newborn people take sexual hormones, so their bodies adapt better to gender. What are the benefits and risk?

Caused by hormonal changes in the brain and body, The link means physical transformation. Estrogen and testosterone – often called “sex hormones” – drive many known changes, such as breast development and periods or deeper voice and hair on the face.

In the case of most newborn people, the change of maturation they experience are in line with their gender. However, in the case of trans and sex of various teenagers, These changes may be disturbing And it can lead to a feeling of disconnecting from their true self -esteem.

(In this article, we will exploit the term “trans” to refer to different people in transgender and sexual).

Why do newborn trans people exploit sexual hormones?

Trans teen support, Estrogen and testosterone It can be used to cause physical changes that adapt better to their sex.

Estrogen stimulates breast development, changes body fat distribution, causes a softer skin and reduces hair to the face and body, creating a more feminine look.

Testosterone deepens the voice, increases hair on the face and body, promotes muscle growth and stops periods, creating a more male look.

Hormones are just one way with which people can confirm their gender and are looking for only some trance teenagers Treatment of sex hormone. Other funds include puberty, change Name, pronouns, hair, clothing and legal documents.

When do people start sexual hormones?

Many Trans people begin to take sexual hormones as adults.

For those who start as teenagers, hormones are introduced when a newborn man is considered intellectual and emotional maturity to make this decision.

Initial age also varies depending on the preferences of the person, family support and barriers in access to care. These barriers Take into account long waiting times, regional differences, costs, legal or political restrictions and challenges related to moving around the healthcare system, all of which make it arduous to make time, reliable care.

Before starting hormone therapy, Trans teenagers pass Comprehensive assessment and counseling in a team of mental health specialists and doctors specializing in transgender health. This helps newborn people to understand potential benefits, restrictions, risk and long -term implications of treatment.

This process covers their family and aims to ensure time, support and space for common, conscious decision making.

Sex hormone treatment usually starts with low doses, after which corrections are made during regular clinical monitoring.

Further physical changes occur gradually for several years, which applies to puberty, and some of them are irreversible. For example, breast growth or a deepened voice will persist if the treatment is stopped.

What are the benefits?

Greatest test So far, 315 trans teenagers have occurred two years after the start of estrogen or testosterone. A significant raise in the number of comfortable participants about their appearance has been found. This was accompanied by a significant improvement in life satisfaction and reduction of depression and anxiety.

Recently, Australian Youth Mental Health Research Center original conducted a review of general evidence. It has been reported that the treatment of newborn trans sex hormones is associated with satisfaction with the body image and reduced mental symptoms, including depression, anxiety and suicide attempts, thoughts and/or planning.

Some Independent review of evidence The order of NSW Health has submitted similar conclusions, and it was found that sex hormone therapy was associated with reduced Sex dysphoriawhich is suffering when a person’s sexual identity differs from a sex reported after birth.

Together, these published results are consistent with the decades of clinical and experienced experience that newborn people report that they feel more at ease in their bodies, more confident in social conditions and more bullish about their future after the start of hormones.

What about unwanted effects?

Like all medical treatments, sex hormone therapy is associated with the possibility of undesirable effects.

For example, estrogen can increase the risk Blood and breast cancer in the long term, but the overall risk seems low.

Testosterone It may increase Acne, as well as the number of red blood cells that the body produces. Too many red blood cells can make human blood too broad and raise the likelihood of stroke or heart attack. Monitoring the number of red blood cells and adjustment of testosterone dose helps reduce this risk.

Estrogen and testosterone can also affect the reproductive system. Estrogen can Stop the semen production AND Testosterone can stop the ovaries from release of eggsBut no treatment should be considered an effective form of contraception.

Considering the possibility that trans teens may want to remain in hormonal treatment in a long -term perspective, they are usually Offered fertility advice Before starting treatment. There is an option to freeze semen or eggs, although access and affordability can be a challenge.

One unwanted effect that has gained a lot of attention concerns regret. There is a fear that teens starting hormonal treatment will later regret this decision.

At this stage, the risk of regret among teenagers starting hormone therapy seems low. Scientists from Harvard He recently followed Kohort 1050 Adolescent people who received hormone therapy and it was noticed that only one expressed regret.

However, the risk of regret is inherent in treatment. Allowing teenagers to risk their own decisions respects their autonomy.

Sexual hormones were Used in Trans teenagers for at least the 1980s.And so far, evidence suggests that this treatment is secure and works well for those who receive them. Nevertheless, long -term research on their safety (and effectiveness) is in progress and necessary.

What about consent?

Earlier Family Court of Australia decisions have established that both parents agreed to their transsexual for hormonal treatment, treating this care as legally unique.

However, decision 2022 Queensland Supreme Court He ruled a teenager who is less than 18 years senior and has sufficient understanding and intelligence to agree to himself, he can agree to his own hormonal treatment.

Despite this, some sex clinics still require the consent of both parents. If there is a dispute between parents, the case should be taken to court to achieve a resolution based on the best interest of teenagers.

Testosterone and estrogen therapy is not novel or experimental. They are based on decades of clinical practice and growing evidence. A novelty is public remark. We need to make sure that the rules and conversations are based on facts, not fear.