A recent study conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden has shed light on the stability of legal gender changes among individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The research, based on national data from Sweden, reveals that fewer than one percent of individuals who undergo a legal gender change choose to revert to the gender they were assigned at birth.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 2013 to 2023 and followed individuals who had received a gender dysphoria diagnosis. Of the 2,467 people included in the study who had legally changed their gender, only 21 individuals decided to revert to their birth-assigned gender. This suggests that the probability of a legal gender change remaining stable after 10 years is close to 98%.
The researchers used a statistical method called Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to calculate the stability of legal gender changes over time. The results provide valuable insights into the permanence of gender transitions and challenge common misconceptions about detransitioning.
While the study focused on binary gender options (male or female) due to limitations in the Swedish population registration system, the researchers emphasize the need for further research to understand the experiences of non-binary individuals. Additionally, more studies are needed to explore the reasons behind rare cases of gender change reversal.
The findings of this study can have significant implications for healthcare providers and policymakers in better supporting transgender individuals. By providing reliable data on the stability of legal gender changes, healthcare professionals can offer more informed and sensitive care to transgender patients.
In conclusion, the study highlights the stability of legal gender changes among individuals with gender dysphoria in Sweden. By dispelling myths about detransitioning, the research contributes to a better understanding of gender identity stability over time. Further research is needed to address the needs of non-binary individuals and explore the complexities of gender transitions.
