More People Regret Having Children than Gender-Affirming Surgery

A recent study found that fewer than 1% of transgender individuals regret undergoing gender-affirming surgery—a rate much lower than the regret reported for having children, getting tattoos, or having plastic surgery.

Understanding Regret in the Context of Gender-Affirming Surgery

Regret is a negative emotion marked by disappointment, sadness, or remorse about a past decision, often coupled with a wish to have chosen differently. In healthcare, regret can arise after opting for a particular treatment. In recent years, there has been considerable attention on the regret some transgender individuals may experience after gender-affirming surgery (GAS).

New research from the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and Public Health analyzed regret rates among individuals who underwent gender-affirming surgery (GAS), comparing them with those who regretted plastic surgeries and other major life choices.

The researchers emphasized that their systematic review isn’t meant to equate gender-affirming surgery with other elective procedures or life decisions, but rather to offer a broader context for understanding regret as part of the human experience.

Challenging the Narrative Around Regret and Gender-Affirming Surgery

Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) helps align a person’s body with their gender identity and may include facial, chest, or genital procedures. It’s often part of a broader transition that includes hormone therapy and social changes. Critics—particularly some politicians and activists—argue that many transgender individuals regret these surgeries, using that claim to push for restrictions. But does the data support this?

A University of Wisconsin study compared regret rates for GAS with other surgeries and major life decisions. While regret rates for procedures like breast reconstruction (up to 47.1%), body contouring (up to 33.3%), tubal sterilization (28%), and prostate removal (30%) were relatively high, GAS regret rates were far lower.

Research Shows Regret After Gender-Affirming Surgery Is Rare

A long-term Dutch study found only 0.6% of trans women and 0.3% of trans men regretted their surgeries. A 2021 meta-analysis of nearly 8,000 trans people reported a regret rate of just 1%, mostly due to social challenges or unmet expectations. A 2023 University of Michigan study found zero regret among 139 patients three years after gender-affirming mastectomies.

Overall, regret following GAS is extremely rare—significantly lower than for many other common surgeries or life decisions.

Regret after gender-affirming surgery is extremely rare—under 1%—and much lower than for other elective procedures or major life choices, researchers found. This challenges arguments used to restrict access to such care.

They noted the low regret rate may reflect the strict requirements, including mental health evaluations, before surgery. Still, regret is likely underreported, especially among transgender individuals, due to stigma or fear of backlash.

The researchers stressed that all surgeries should involve open discussions about potential regret as part of informed consent, acknowledging the complex, personal factors that influence such feelings.

Read the originalç article on: New Atlas

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