Transgender individuals experience challenges regarding their identity, including social discrimination, lack of acceptance, and difficulty accessing resources such as employment and healthcare. Gender-affirming medical care can improve these challenges but is often denied to transgender people due to various reasons, which has many negative implications. This article will explore these implications in detail.
The primary consequence of denying gender-affirming medical care is mental health problems. Transgender individuals who are unable to access necessary hormone therapy, surgery, or other treatments may feel ashamed of their bodies or suffer from depression and anxiety. They may also be more likely to attempt suicide.
One study found that transgender youth who were unable to access puberty blockers had higher rates of suicidal ideation than those who did access them. Another study found that denial of transition-related surgeries increased mortality risks for transgender adults.
Denial of medical care can lead to physical complications.
Some transgender women take estrogen without proper medical guidance, increasing their risk of blood clots and stroke. Denial of mastectomies can cause breast tissue to grow back, leading to discomfort and pain. Not providing top surgery (chest reconstruction) can cause scarring and disfigurement.
Denial of gender-affirming care can contribute to poor self-esteem and low self-confidence, making it harder for transgender individuals to pursue education, employment, and relationships. Many transgender people report feeling trapped in the wrong body, causing distress. Denial of medical care exacerbates this distress and makes it more difficult to overcome.
Denying gender-affirming medical care has many negative consequences, including mental health problems, physical complications, social isolation, and limited opportunities. Governments and healthcare systems must prioritize inclusive policies that ensure all transgender individuals have access to the necessary resources and support they need to thrive.
What are the consequences of denying gender-affirming medical care for transgender individuals?
Transgender individuals who experience gender dysphoria may feel distressed, anxious, depressed, or have thoughts of self-harm due to the lack of accessibility to necessary medical treatments that align with their identity (Peters et al. , 2019). This can lead to further mental health issues such as increased social isolation, difficulty finding employment opportunities, and decreased life satisfaction.