Many children, teens, and even adults deal with gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is described as one having physical characteristics on one’s gender but there is a strong identification with the opposite gender and desire to live as and become the opposite sex. A male or female approaching puberty become terrified about the upcoming body changes they will begin to experience. Women are afraid of growing breasts and developing a menstrual cycle while men are nervous for growing facial hair and an Adam’s apple.
Many doctors now recommend puberty suppression to children. Puberty suppression has only been around for around twenty years beginning in the 1990s. The Center for Expertise on Gender Dysphoria at Amsterdam’s VU University began a protocol that uses gonadotropin which releases hormones. These hormones would block normal hormones causing secondary sex characteristics to develop.
This may sound dangerous, but puberty suppression is considered reversible. Some adolescents can undergo normal puberty but it may be delay. However, in cases where GD persists, hormones are administered around the age of 16 and the gender-reassignment for surgery may be performed later at the age of 18.
Dr. Annelou de Vries conducted a study involving 55 young transgender adults who had puberty suppression when they were teenagers. These adults were assessed three times in a six year period: before staring puberty suppression, at the time that cross-sex hormones were introduced, and at least on year after gender-reassignment surgery. Psychological adjustments and subjective well-being were tested. The results: all adults were satisfied with the outcome and their physical appearance. Researches stated, “GD was alleviated and psychological functioning had steadily improved. Wellbeing was similar to or better than same-age young adults from the general population. Improvements in psychological functioning were positively correlated with post surgical subjective well-being.”
These hormones would definitely help one with they emotions on their physical look as well as emotions. If they look good, they will be more happy. If puberty suppression is the only way they feel like they will be able to feel happy with the outcome of a sex change then I say go for it! You have to do what makes you happy and if this is what makes them happy they are entitled to do so. Some criticize puberty suppression as child abuse but that should only be considered if the child is being forced to undergo suppression against their will. They have to agree with the surgery 100% and are not forced into something they don’t want to do. If they agree with the surgery and they surgery goes well, they will be living a long, happy, and satisfied life.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/gender+dysphoria
I found this blog to be very very compelling. Recently, i just finished watching the show Orange is The new black. In this show there is a transgender male turned female and the show illustrates very vividly and explicitly the struggle that people go through when changing genders. I also found it interesting in your article that people actually go into depression over developing in puberty and while some it goes away some it does not. I also appreciated your positive and optimistic tone in your blog in saying that whatever makes a person happy is their choice and decision, very refreshing especially in this day and age with so many opinions flying around.