Treatment of Youth

To say treatment of young transsexuals (under the age of 18) is complex would be understatement .
Even throughout the world there is great debate over the medical treatment of these individuals.
To begin, consent can be an issue given the individual is a minor.  There are the issues of puberty
which can be devastating to a transwoman who is beginning the irreversible changes of facial hair , changes in
stature and bond structure, as well as deepening of the voice.   In the young FTM the onset of menses and
breast development can also be a terrifying and depressing affair.  The incidence of suicidal thought and
depression is very high particularly if there is not good family support.  The level of understanding of
Gender Dysphoria is very primitive even in adults in our society and the legal protections are few.
Parents may struggle with a lack of information and guilt over their gender variant child who does not
conform the expected norm for their overt sex. I have treated a few of these patients with the help
of some highly motivated professionals in Portland.  Unfortunately we do not have a Gender Disorder Clinic
for adults let alone adolescents. 

I have tried to place some resources below that I have found helpful.  I do not think there is one supreme
authority in the world. But I believe in time consensus will occur.  One peculiar problem in Oregon is
that the legislature mandated mental health be treated in a par with physical illness.  However, some
insurance companies  specifically proscribe treatment for this condition. In time I hope to add to this section.

The stages of puberty are described  Stages of Puberty