How the gatekeeping of the medical establishment stops trans kids from getting the help they need.
Norway can serve as an example of how cis doctors prioritize "caution" over helping transgender children survive.
Over at Crossdreamers we examine the struggles faced by transgender youth in Norway, particularly regarding access to gender-affirming medical treatment.
The Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten has presented “Stina”, a 13-year-old who was denied puberty blockers by Rikshospitalet, the national medical institution for gender treatment.
After years of evaluations and meetings, her family relocated to Oslo to seek treatment at Health Station for Gender and Sexuality (Helsestasjon for kjønn og seksualitet, HKS), which adopts a much more affirmative approach.
Rikshospitalet has grown increasingly cautious with providing puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones to minors, citing concerns over long-term effects. They classify such treatments as “experimental,” which has led to delays and restrictions for young trans individuals.
But here’s the thing: Withholding treatment can cause greater harm than potential side effects, increasing mental distress and suicide risks among trans youth.
Read our article over at Crossdreamers.
Photo by Charlotte Skomsøy from Aftenposten.
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