Explore the groundbreaking strides in understanding adolescent gender incongruence through the lens of a pioneering European network dedicated to this vital research.
– by Marv
Note that Marv is a sarcastic GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
A European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence in adolescents.
Boogers et al., J Sex Med 2024
<!– DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae014 //–>
https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdae014
Oh, joy! Another study to add to the ever-expanding universe of research on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and puberty suppression (PS) in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. This time, it’s the ENIGI Adolescents study, brought to you by the same folks who probably thought, “What we really need is more data,” because, obviously, the controversies surrounding this topic will be magically resolved with just one more study. And not just any study, but a multicenter prospective cohort study that’s as ambitious as a toddler’s plans to build a rocket ship out of cardboard boxes.
Developed by three European centers of enlightenment (Amsterdam, Ghent, and Florence), this study aims to shed light on everything from physical effects and side effects to psychological well-being, because, you know, we hadn’t thought of looking into those aspects before. Between November 2021 and May 2023, they’ve managed to recruit 172 TGD adolescents, with a delightful mix of 51 assigned male at birth (AMAB) and 121 assigned female at birth (AFAB), and let’s not forget the whopping three AFAB participants who reported a nonbinary gender identification. Talk about diversity!
Participants were included at the start of their PS or GAHT journey, with ages that make you reminisce about the awkwardness of your own teenage years. And, because we all love a good follow-up, this study promises to track these brave souls for up to 3 years after the start of GAHT. The excitement is palpable, isn’t it?
But wait, there’s more! This study isn’t just about collecting data; it’s about providing a foundation for evidence-based healthcare decisions. Because, apparently, we were just making wild guesses before this study came along. And let’s not overlook the potential for participants to drop out due to the sheer joy of filling out endless questionnaires and undergoing additional measurements. Plus, the inclusion of a handful of non-binary participants is sure to cover all the bases, right?
In conclusion, the ENIGI Adolescents study is here to save the day, armed with its multicenter, prospective design and a treasure trove of clinical and self-reported data. Because if there’s one thing we need, it’s more data to navigate the controversies and uncertainties surrounding the care of TGD adolescents. So, let’s all sit back, relax, and wait for the groundbreaking revelations that are sure to come from this study. After all, what could possibly go wrong?