Trans regret is very rare. Most studies find rates around 1% or less. De-transitioning varies depending on study, but usually falls between 1% to 8%, depending on the population and how “detransition” is defined.
🧩 Understanding the Data
The available data on regret and detransition is limited and varies due to differences in study designs, definitions, and populations studied. While the observed rates of regret and detransition are generally very low, they likely do not fully capture the complexity of individual experiences.
🧠 Trans Regret
A 2021 meta-analysis of 27 studies involving nearly 8,000 individuals who underwent gender-affirming surgeries found that approximately 1% expressed regret. For some, this regret was temporary (ref1, ref2).
🧠 Reasons for Detransition
As detailed above, detransition can occur for various reasons. Research identifies both internal and external factors contributing to detransition:
- Internal Factors: Some individuals experience changes in their gender identity or psychological factors that lead them to reconsider their transition. These changes may be temporary and do not necessarily reflect regret regarding past gender affirmation. (ref).
- External Factors: External pressures, such as societal stigma, discrimination, family pressure, and difficulties in accessing medical care, can influence the decision to detransition. (ref).
It’s important to note that many individuals who detransition do so temporarily or for reasons unrelated to regret about their gender identity.
📊 Statistical Overview
- Regret After Gender-Affirming Surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open in 2021 analysed 27 studies involving 7,928 transgender individuals who underwent gender-affirming surgeries (GAS). The pooled prevalence of regret was found to be 1% (95% CI <1%–2%), with 77 patients expressing regret. Notably, the prevalence of regret was less than 1% for transmasculine surgeries and 1% for transfeminine surgeries. The study concluded that regret following GAS is extremely uncommon.
- Detransition Rates: A 2024 systematic review published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine examined studies on the discontinuation of gender-affirming treatments. The review reported point-prevalence proportions of 1.6% to 9.8% for discontinuation of cross-sex hormone therapy and 1% to 7.6% for discontinuation of puberty blockers among transgender individuals. The review emphasised that the decision to detransition is rare and that many individuals who discontinue treatment do so for reasons unrelated to a change in gender identity.
- Turban et al. (2021) – U.S. Transgender Survey (n=28,000+)
- About 13% reported detransitioning at some point.
- However, 82.5% of those who detransitioned later re-transitioned.
- Main reasons for detransition: external pressures (family, employment, discrimination), not identity change.
🔍 Source: Turban et al., “Factors Leading to Detransition Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People in the United States,” LGBT Health, 2021.
- Littman (2021) – Survey study (n=100 detransitioners)
- Found 62% detransitioned due to realization that gender dysphoria was related to other issues (e.g., trauma, mental health).
- The very small study population was not random and leaned heavily toward those dissatisfied with their transition, so this reflects only one very specific segment of the trans population; thus we cannot say that “62% of trans people …”. We can only say that “of 100 people, from one very specific population, sourced from one very specific place, 62 people …”
🔍 Source: Littman, “Individuals Treated for Gender Dysphoria Who Subsequently Detransitioned: Survey of 100 Detransitioners,” Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2021.
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