Gender medicine for children and young people is built on shaky foundations. Here is how we strengthen services

Abstract

Improving the evidence base for young people is an essential next step, writes Hilary Cass, as her independent review into gender identity services for children and young people is published

Considering a core curriculum for DSDs and gender identities—It is complicated

“…In reading the published letter to the editor by Drs Venkatesh and Morris, they raise a number of points concerning educating students about developmental embryology, along with clinical (and presumably legal) considerations concerning individuals with DSDs or gender dysphoria (Venkatesh & Morris, 2024). Its publication is timely, given the recent debates in the wider medical community, and in public, following the publication of the Cass report (Cass, 2024;The Cass Review, 2024).…”

“…Gender medicine for young people has been strongly criticised in recent months as being "built on shaky foundations" (Abbasi, 2024;Cass, 2024) and many jurisdictions have now legislated to restrict interventions for minors (Tanne, 2023;UK Statutory Instrument 2024/727, 2024. There is a growing number of detransitioners reverting to their natal sex, many of whom feel they were inadequately evaluated or advised before starting transition (Littman, 2021).…”