Lifelong Learning: Reduction in Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Transgender Individuals After Gender-Affirming Surgeries: A Total Population Study-View Article

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A total population study conducted in Sweden investigated the long-term effects of gender-affirming hormone and surgical interventions on mental health among transgender individuals. The study used national registers to examine mental health treatment utilization in 2015 among individuals with a diagnosis of gender incongruence and compared it to the general population. The results showed that individuals with a gender incongruence diagnosis were more likely to have had mood and anxiety disorder health care visits, received prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics, and been hospitalized after a suicide attempt compared to the general population. However, years since initiating hormone treatment did not significantly affect mental health treatment utilization. On the other hand, increased time since last gender-affirming surgery was associated with reduced mental health treatment utilization. These findings suggest that gender-affirming surgery may contribute to a decrease in mental health treatment utilization among transgender individuals. The study provides support for the decision to provide gender-affirming surgeries to transgender individuals who seek them. It highlights the importance of access to gender-affirming medical interventions in improving the mental health outcomes of transgender individuals.

Keywords

Sweden

total population study

gender-affirming hormone

surgical interventions

mental health

transgender individuals

national registers

gender incongruence

mood and anxiety disorder

antidepressants