Iatrogenic Gender Dysphoria and Harm Cycle in Gender Affirming Care
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cases of gender dysphoria among children and adolescents. Iatrogenesis, as a result of early social and medical transitions in the gender-affirming care model, has contributed to this rise, leading to a group of cases that could be described as 'iatrogenic gender dysphoria.' Iatrogenesis also causes potential harm in the medical and surgical treatments of these cases. Thus, gender dysphoria cases are effectively encircled by an iatrogenic harm cycle, from development to treatment. Pressures that restrict academic freedom in the field of gender medicine, political influences, issues of 'spin' in publications related to the gender-affirming care model, and misleading or exaggerated statements made by some clinicians to the public also contribute to this harm cycle. This article discusses the role of iatrogenesis in the increase of gender dysphoria cases and its effects within the harmful cycle surrounding these cases.
Source: Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Author: Zeki Bayraktar
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4408921522