The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially recommended delaying gender-transition surgeries for minors until they reach adulthood. This significant shift in position comes after years of supporting such procedures for children. The decision follows a recent jury verdict that awarded $2 million in damages to a woman who underwent a double mastectomy at age 16, when she identified as transgender.
According to the AMA, the reversal was prompted by a lack of sufficient evidence to affirm the benefits of gender-affirming surgical interventions in minors. The organization stated, “the evidence for gender-affirming surgical intervention in minors is insufficient for us to make a definitive statement.” This announcement indicates a change in the AMA’s approach, which previously endorsed gender-transition surgeries for young individuals.
New Guidelines Reflect Growing Concerns
The updated guidance aligns with recommendations from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which advocates that gender-related surgeries for minors be postponed until they are at least 19 years old. The ASPS emphasized this stance in a statement released on March 3, 2023, stating, “ASPS recommends that surgeons delay gender-related breast/chest, genital, and facial surgery until a patient is at least 19 years old.”
While the AMA continues to support the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatments to address gender dysphoria in children, it has clarified that surgical interventions should not occur until the individual reaches adulthood. The organization’s new position reflects heightened scrutiny over the long-term effects and risks associated with life-altering procedures for minors.
The decision came shortly after a jury ruled in favor of a woman who regretted her double mastectomy performed at the age of 16. The woman, now 22 years old, described her experience as traumatic, stating she felt disfigured for life due to the surgery she underwent under pressure from family, friends, and societal expectations.
Impact on Medical Practices and Policies
The AMA’s revised guidance represents a significant shift in the medical community’s approach to treating minors with gender dysphoria. Just five years ago, the AMA urged state governors to reject legislation banning gender-transition surgeries for children. In an April 2021 letter, the organization described cases of gender dysphoria as “normal variations of human identity and expression,” advocating for access to surgeries and hormone treatments for minors.
This recent reversal is viewed by some as a response to the growing concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of such medical interventions at a young age. The change in the AMA’s policy, coupled with the ASPS’s recommendations, signals a cautious approach moving forward.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated that decisions regarding gender-related surgeries for children should be made on a case-by-case basis. The AAP emphasizes that patients, their families, and physicians should collaboratively determine the best course of action, free from political influence.
As the discourse surrounding gender-transition surgeries evolves, the AMA’s latest recommendations may influence future medical practices and policies. The organization’s commitment to prioritizing evidence-based approaches reflects a broader concern for the physical and psychological safety of young patients.
