A Systematic Review of the Psychological Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery

Jeremy A. Wernick; Samantha Busa; Kareen Matouk; Joey Nicholson; Aron Janssen

doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2019.07.002

A Systematic Review of the Psychological Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery

Jeremy A. Wernick^*, Samantha Busa, Kareen Matouk, Joey Nicholson, Aron Janssen

^*Corresponding author for this work

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

For individuals with gender dysphoria, gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) are one means of reducing the significant distress associated with primary and secondary sex characteristics misaligned with their gender identity. This article uses a systematic review to examine the existing literature on the psychological benefits of GAS. Findings from this review indicate that GAS can lead to multiple, significant improvements in psychological functioning. Methodological differences in the literature demonstrate the need for additional research to draw more definitive conclusions about the psychological benefits of GAS.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	475-486
Number of pages	12
Journal	Urologic Clinics of North America
Volume	46
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2019.07.002
State	Published - Nov 2019

Keywords

Gender dysphoria
Gender-affirming surgery
Mental health
Transgender health
Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Urology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.ucl.2019.07.002

Cite this

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title = "A Systematic Review of the Psychological Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery",

abstract = "For individuals with gender dysphoria, gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) are one means of reducing the significant distress associated with primary and secondary sex characteristics misaligned with their gender identity. This article uses a systematic review to examine the existing literature on the psychological benefits of GAS. Findings from this review indicate that GAS can lead to multiple, significant improvements in psychological functioning. Methodological differences in the literature demonstrate the need for additional research to draw more definitive conclusions about the psychological benefits of GAS.",

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author = "Wernick, {Jeremy A.} and Samantha Busa and Kareen Matouk and Joey Nicholson and Aron Janssen",

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AU - Nicholson, Joey

AU - Janssen, Aron

PY - 2019/11

Y1 - 2019/11

N2 - For individuals with gender dysphoria, gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) are one means of reducing the significant distress associated with primary and secondary sex characteristics misaligned with their gender identity. This article uses a systematic review to examine the existing literature on the psychological benefits of GAS. Findings from this review indicate that GAS can lead to multiple, significant improvements in psychological functioning. Methodological differences in the literature demonstrate the need for additional research to draw more definitive conclusions about the psychological benefits of GAS.

AB - For individuals with gender dysphoria, gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) are one means of reducing the significant distress associated with primary and secondary sex characteristics misaligned with their gender identity. This article uses a systematic review to examine the existing literature on the psychological benefits of GAS. Findings from this review indicate that GAS can lead to multiple, significant improvements in psychological functioning. Methodological differences in the literature demonstrate the need for additional research to draw more definitive conclusions about the psychological benefits of GAS.

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KW - Gender-affirming surgery

KW - Mental health

KW - Transgender health

KW - Well-being

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A Systematic Review of the Psychological Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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