ESPE Abstracts

Purpose: To assess the prevalence in 2017 and elucidate the well-being of youngsters with gender dysphoria.

Background: Gender dysphoria is described as a strong and persistent feeling of being born in the wrong sex. Often the feeling is associated with impaired ability to function in everyday life, found in children, adolescents and adults. For adolescents with gender dysphoria, puberty is an additional mental strain that can lead to depression, anxiety and social isolation.

Method: With a descriptive study design, we aim to evaluate the quality of life perceived by all the youngsters referred to the university clinic of Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital 2017 for endocrine treatment.

Results: Twenty three youngsters (14 female/9 male) with an age of 11-17 years were referred to the endocrine clinic for gender dysphoria. All “male to female” were treated with GnRH-analogue for a median period of 9 months before follow up visit and final diagnosis. By interview with a nurse most reported they had perceived low quality of life and in half of them diagnosed with depressive symptoms. After GnRH analogue treatment they were satisfied stopping further sex developing with less symptoms of depression and anxiety in their everyday life. Twenty of the youngsters started with cross-sex hormone treatment during the year when they fulfill all criteria’s for gender dysfhoria.

Conclusion: Appropriate care improved quality of life in most youngsters seeking for gender dysphoria.