When do kids come back to gender clinics as they start puberty?
Retrospective Examination of Peripubertal Return for Patients of Western Australia's Gender Diversity Service
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Over half of deferred kids older than 13 returned during early puberty, compared to only 25% overall.
It suggests age proximity to puberty strongly predicts return, which may reflect growing urgency or readiness, contradicting assumptions that early interest fades.
Practical Takeaways
Gender clinics should plan for increased demand during early puberty, especially for patients previously deferred.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Over half of deferred kids older than 13 returned during early puberty, compared to only 25% overall.
It suggests age proximity to puberty strongly predicts return, which may reflect growing urgency or readiness, contradicting assumptions that early interest fades.
Practical Takeaways
Gender clinics should plan for increased demand during early puberty, especially for patients previously deferred.
Publication
Journal
LGBT Health
Year
2024
Authors
Blake S. Cavve, Xander Bickendorf, Jack Ball, Liz A. Saunders, Larissa Marion, Cati S. Thomas, P. Strauss, Georgia Chaplyn, Aaron Wiggins, Uma Ganti, Aris Siafarikas, Ashleigh Lin, Julia K. Moore
Related Content
Claims (5)
Kids going through their teenage years need time to figure out and feel sure about their gender identity.
Kids who were 13 or older when their medical records were reviewed were more likely to come back to gender services later — about 56% of them — especially if they were going through or about to go through puberty.
Lots of families in Western Australia are bringing their young kids — before they hit puberty — to gender clinics, especially for boys assigned at birth, and that’s often why their cases get closed.
About 1 in 4 kids who weren’t ready for gender care when they were really young came back for another check-up when they started going through puberty, which is a key time to think about treatment.
Just because some kids come back to gender clinics around puberty doesn't mean their gender identity as kids will definitely stay the same into adolescence.