U.S. Trump Administration Releases Critical Report on Youth Gender-Affirming Care

On May 2, 2025, the Trump administration unveiled a comprehensive 400-page review scrutinizing gender-related medical interventions in children and adolescents. The report highlights several concerns, emphasizing the potential risks of puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgeries. While the report was presented without individual authors—an unusual move, justified by the Department of Health and Human Services to protect the report's integrity—it has sparked considerable controversy.

The topic of gender-affirming treatments for youth remains highly contentious globally. Medical professionals aim to balance alleviating psychological distress, respecting patient autonomy, and providing evidence-based care suited to developing bodies and minds. However, critics argue that political motives may influence such reviews. The Trump administration, known for its stance against transgender rights—including attempts to ban transgender individuals from the military and efforts to eliminate gender identity language from official documents—raises questions about the objectivity of this report.

The document claims that gender-affirming treatments pose significant health risks, listing potential complications such as infertility, sexual dysfunction, reduced bone density, cognitive impacts, cardiovascular issues, metabolic disorders, psychiatric conditions, surgical complications, and even regret over medical decisions.

Supporters of transgender healthcare, like family physician Aisha Mays, dismiss the report as propaganda aimed at delegitimizing safe, evidence-based care. Mays emphasizes that being transgender is not a reversible choice and that gender-affirming treatments align with the same evidentiary standards as care for cisgender individuals.

While the report is written in a scholarly tone, it critiques medical associations, alleging that they may oppose evidence-based treatments due to professional or financial interests. It also challenges terminology such as "assigned sex at birth," suggesting it undermines biological facts.

The release of this report follows a UK review by retired pediatrician Hilary Cass, which also urged caution in prescribing hormone therapies to youth. The American Academy of Pediatrics expressed alarm at the report, criticizing its selective data use and misrepresentation of guidelines.

Despite political rhetoric, data indicate that gender-affirming interventions among minors are rare. Studies show low rates of surgery and hormonal treatments in youth, with under 0.1% of privately insured minors receiving puberty blockers or hormones, and none under age 12.

This ongoing debate underscores the complex interplay between medical evidence, political motives, and the rights of transgender youth. For more details, source: Medical Xpress.