Abstract
Gender-affirming treatment remains a topic of controversy; of particular concern is whether gender-affirming treatment reduces suicidality. A narrative review was undertaken evaluating suicide-related outcomes following gender-affirming surgery, hormones, and/or puberty blockers. Of the 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria, the majority indicated a reduction in suicidality following gender-affirming treatment; however, the literature to date suffers from a lack of methodological rigor that increases the risk of type I error. There is a need for continued research in suicidality outcomes following gender-affirming treatment that adequately controls for the presence of psychiatric comorbidity and treatment, substance use, and other suicide risk-enhancing and reducing factors. There is also a need for future systematic reviews given the inherent limitations of a narrative review. There may be implications on the informed consent process of gender-affirming treatment given the current lack of methodological robustness of the literature reviewed.
More research is recommended...and the results will be included in future decisions. Btw, including "Self-Harm" events muddies the water on the much more serious circumstance of Suicide...I haven't done a deep review of your linked study, but maybe you could give us the details of 'Suicides"..."Self-Harms"...and "Controls"...that would really help.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10027312/