Risks too Big to Ignore
Marie Mielke, a researcher from Wake Forrest, conducted a study regarding what effects the pre-menopausal removal of a ovaries has on a woman’s brain. It is known that the pre-menopausal removal of ovaries affects a woman’s hormones, and Dr Mielke wanted to find out if there were additional cognitive and psychological effects. The result of the study showed that the removal of a women's ovaries before menopause is associated with a decreased amount of white matter in the brain, which is in turn associated with cognitive impairment.
What does it mean?
When asked about what the study means, Dr, Jonathan Rasouli had this to say:
“These results may influence future guidelines by highlighting the importance of preserving hormonal balance in women considering oophorectomy at an earlier age. They could lead to recommendations for monitoring cognitive health and considering
HRT to mitigate risks. The findings advocate for a more nuanced approach to women’s health, particularly regarding surgical decisions and hormonal therapies.”
This study does not mention gender transition surgery by name, nor does the study mention that the removal of ovaries before menopause (sometimes called a premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy, or PBO) is sometimes combined with a hysterectomy in the process of gender transition.2 In spite of that, the implications of this study are clear: The effects on the brain and body that occur when a woman’s ovaries are removed before menopause are significant and associated with cognitive impairment.
Any discussion of gender transitions surgery for minors must consider the long-term effects of such procedures on the brain, but this has not been the case. In fact, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) claims the pre-menopausal removal of ovaries may be “a medically necessary component of gender affirming surgical therapy for those transgender men who choose to seek this procedure.”
What all this clearly shows is that the Gender Transition surgery and Hormonal treatment comes with significant risks. As such, physically healthy minors should not be eligible for elective surgeries like this.
Stories like this are exactly why RCAAN supports governments and health care preventing minors from having access to elective surgeries for gender transition.
The research continues to show that such surgeries carry significant risks, and that there continue to be risks and effects that were previously unknown. For this reason, gender transition surgery for minors should not be legal or promoted.
RCAAN is committed to fostering a well-informed and active community in Regina. Our focus is on empowering residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to make impactful political decisions and take meaningful action. RCAAN also supports the right of parents to direct the healthcare, education, and moral upbringing of their children.
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