Concerns grow that Swedish trans care may still endanger vulnerable youth

The editorial notes that the Socialstyrelsen revised its recommendations for treating minors with gender dysphoria four years ago, emphasizing that risks of puberty blockers and hormone therapy may outweigh benefits and should be used only in exceptional cases. Nevertheless, recent data indicate an increase in hormone prescriptions for children, a trend highlighted by physician Agnes Wold. The author recounts a family’s experience with an autistic daughter who was steered toward gender-affirming treatment and egg freezing, despite her lack of prior gender-identity concerns.

Professionals like professor Hugo Lagercrantz point to Finnish research linking such interventions to higher rates of psychiatric problems. Parents describe the clinic environment as coercive, with staff dismissing dissenting views. The piece urges the Swedish government to launch an investigation to make trans care safer for vulnerable patients.