A comprehensive new study raises concerns over the suicide risk among individuals who have undergone gender reassignment surgery. The study, involving 56 US healthcare organizations and over 90 million patients, analyzed data collected from February 2003 to February 2023. It found that individuals who had undergone gender-affirming surgery had a suicide attempt risk that was over 12 times higher than those who did not.
The research, conducted on medical records rather than self-reported data, examined millions of cases spanning a 20-year period, systematically controlling for other factors and comparing experiences of patients who had undergone transition surgery with those who had not. Of the patients who transitioned, 3.47% were treated for suicide attempts, versus 0.29% for non-transitioned patients.
The researchers concluded that gender-affirming surgery is significantly associated with elevated suicide risk, highlighting the need for comprehensive post-procedure psychiatric support. The study did not include minors and has been uploaded to the National Institute of Health (NIH) database of peer-reviewed studies, PubMed.
Prominent figures, such as Jordan Peterson, expressed concern over the study’s findings, criticizing medical practitioners endorsing surgery for gender dysphoria and urging Presidents Biden and Trudeau to take note of the study. As gender-affirming surgeries continue to rise, this research suggests a need for greater acknowledgment and understanding of the potential mental health implications.