Information for gender variant youngsters.
Adult transsexual people often express the wish that they had received treatment when young. GIRES has prepared the publication below for the Department of Health. It can be dowloaded by clicking the image or ordered in printed form.
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However, the treatment currently offered in the UK diverges markedly from that offered in other countries.
Update (Dec 2009) The British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) has published its amended statement on caring for children and adolescents with gender identity disorder. This would allow the early suspension of puberty in adolescents, experiencing profound and persistent gender dysphoria, This safe and reversible treatment (a) prevents the development of unwanted secondary sex characterisitics, (b) relieves the related stress and (c) provides the young person and the involved clinicians with more time in which to decide on future physical interventions.
Latest news (May 2010) from the clinicians who provide medical care for youngsters experiencing gender dysphoria at the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), in London, which is part of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. They are now finalizing their research submission to commence a closely monitored programme of suspending the puberty of carefully screened adolescents, in whom the gender dysphoria is profound and highly likely to persist. This is subject to the approval of their research and ethics committees. However, this should not cause delay because these committees meet frequently. Polly Carmichael, who heads the London service is keen to get started.
Importantly it will be possible for the youngsters whose families have taken them to the USA for treatment to enter the GIDS programme as a separately monitored group.
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