Gender-Affirming Care for Youth: What the Research Shows
More young people are exploring questions of gender identity than ever before. For some, that exploration brings clarity and peace. For others, it brings distress — a sense that their body and identity don’t match. Parents often ask, “What’s really happening with kids and gender-affirming care? How common is it? What are the outcomes?” The truth is more nuanced than headlines suggest. Let’s look at what the data actually say.
How Common Is Gender Dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria refers to the distress that arises when someone’s gender identity doesn’t align with their sex assigned at birth. Not every gender-diverse person experiences dysphoria, and not every person with dysphoria identifies as transgender.
Surveys suggest that between 0.7 % and 2.7 % of U.S. teens identify as transgender or gender-diverse.
Only a small fraction of those teens seek medical support for gender dysphoria.
One Dutch population study found about 1 in 6,800 adolescents requested medical help for dysphoria, roughly 0.015 %.
For pre-pubescent children, persistent gender dysphoria (lasting into adolescence) is even less common. Many children who express gender non-conforming behavior do not go on to transition later.
In other words, identity exploration is not the same as needing medical intervention. Most youth need space, safety, and affirming support as they navigate who they are.
What Interventions Exist Under 18?
“Gender-affirming care” can mean many things. It may include:
Social affirmation: using a youth’s chosen name or pronouns, adjusting clothing or hairstyle, or creating safe school environments.
Therapy and mental-health support: helping teens manage distress, explore identity safely, and improve coping skills.
Medical care: sometimes including puberty blockers or hormones under the care of a qualified provider. Surgery for minors is extremely rare.
Here’s what the data show:
In a national U.S. study, fewer than 0.1 % of adolescents received puberty blockers or hormones.
No patients under 12 were prescribed hormones in that sample.
Surgical procedures among minors were about 2 per 100,000 teens aged 15–17, and nearly zero for younger groups.
Most youth receive social and psychological support, not medical intervention. And that support matters — a lot.
What Do We Know About Outcomes?
Studies show that gender-affirming care — including social and psychological support — can lower depression and suicidality and improve well-being.
Youth who feel accepted and supported by their families are less likely to experience mental-health crises, regardless of whether they pursue medical treatment.
However, long-term research is still developing.
Most studies are short-term and observational.
We need more data on long-term outcomes, fertility, and health effects.
The best evidence we have shows that support and safety are the strongest predictors of positive outcomes.
The Role of Family Support
Family acceptance is one of the most powerful protective factors for gender-diverse youth.
Teens who feel supported by their parents and caregivers report lower rates of depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
At Turn the Mind, we emphasize that supporting your child does not mean rushing decisions — it means staying connected, curious, and affirming while your teen explores who they are.
That’s why we offer a free support group for parents of non-gender-conforming and gender-diverse teens — a space to ask questions, learn from others, and build confidence in supporting your child.
Our Approach at Turn the Mind
At Turn the Mind, we provide comprehensive, affirming, and trauma-informed care for adolescents exploring gender identity.
Our services include:
Affirming therapy to help youth manage distress, anxiety, trauma, or identity questions.
Transition Support Letters for Youth Seeking Medical Evaluation.
Family sessions to improve communication and understanding.
A free parent support group for those raising gender diverse teens.
We help families stay grounded and connected while making informed, compassionate choices. If your teen is exploring their identity or you’re seeking guidance as a parent, we’re here to help. Click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Compassionate. Evidence-based. Grounded.
References
Williams Institute. How Many Adults and Youth Identify as Transgender in the United States? (2023) — Report showing youth ages 13-17 at ~3.3 % identify as transgender. Williams Institute+1
The Trevor Project. Data on Transgender Youth. Research brief: ~1.8% of youth identify as transgender (based on earlier surveys). The Trevor Project+1
Steensma, T. D., Kreukels, B. P. C. et al. “Transgender children and young people: how the evidence can-and cannot-help us.” Frontiers in Pediatrics (2023). Discusses prevalence, identity exploration, and transition trajectories. PMC
Olson-Kennedy, J., & others. Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth. PMC article reviewing care concepts, outcomes, gaps. PMC
Murad, M. H., & others. “Hormone Therapy, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Transgender People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2021). Evidence of improved outcomes. PMC+1
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 (SOC-8) — FAQs (2022). Guidelines for care including youth. WPATH+1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Disparities in School Connectedness, Unstable Housing, and Suicide Risk by Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, and Sex Assigned at Birth — United States, 2021.” MMWR (2022). Data on mental-health risk in transgender and questioning youth. CDC
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report on Pediatric Gender Dysphoria and Gender-Conversion Efforts — Issue Brief (2025). Discusses policy, evidence base, and guidelines. kff.org
