Trans surgeries increase risk of mental health conditions, suicidal ideations: study

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Transgender individuals face "heightened psychological distress," including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, "partly due to stigma and lack of gender affirmation," as stated in the study, which was published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The study focused on 107,583 patients 18 and over with gender dysphoria, some who underwent surgery and others who did not.

They determined rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance-use disorders were "significantly higher" among those who underwent surgery, assessed two years later.

The same differences were seen among females, as those with surgery had 22.9% depression rates compared to 14.6% in the non-surgical group.

"Findings suggest the necessity for gender-sensitive mental health support following gender-affirming surgery to address post-surgical psychological risks," the researchers wrote.

Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said the study findings highlight the "often overlooked" psychological risks that accompany gender-affirming surgery.

"While these surgeries can be critical in helping individuals align their physical appearance with their gender identity, they are not a cure-all for the mental health challenges many transgender individuals face," Alpert, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

"These findings suggest that surgery alone doesn't eliminate the complex psychological burdens that stem from societal stigma and personal struggles with identity," he went on.

"In fact, taking a scalpel to treat a psychological disorder can sometimes lead to more issues, as the study results are elucidating."

Florida neurosurgeon Dr. Brett Osborn, who also was not part of the study, agreed that "surgery is no guarantee of happiness."

"We're often told that gender-affirming surgery is essential for alleviating gender dysphoria - but what happens when the euphoria fades?" he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

A 2022 study showed that around 1.4 million American adults identify as transgender and about 0.6% of all American adults experience gender dysphoria.

"While increased awareness has made it easier for some children to express their struggles, we cannot ignore the possibility that social contagion, along with peer influence and social media, may be contributing to this surge."

Both experts caution against rushing into surgery or other irreversible decisions.

"You don't amputate a limb because of temporary pain, and you certainly don't permanently alter your body without exhausting every other option first," he said.

Osborn expressed the same cautions about hormone therapy - "we're talking about irreversible changes that demand lifelong management."

"That said, to a great degree, the burden is on us physicians who took an oath to first do no harm."

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers requesting comment.