Major Medical Groups Reverse Policies on Gender Surgeries for Minors Amid Growing Detransitioner Voices
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant shift that has reverberated through the medical and social communities, two leading medical organizations have quietly revised their stances on gender-affirming surgeries for minors. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have both acknowledged that such surgeries should not be considered standard practice for individuals under the age of 19.
This policy reversal comes after years of debate and growing testimony from detransitioners—individuals who have reversed gender transition procedures—who have voiced concerns about the long-term consequences of early medical interventions. Prisha Mosley, a detransitioner who shared her personal story with Fox News, described the surgeries she underwent as part of her teenage gender care as irreversible decisions that she now regrets. “To me, these policy reversals amount to a confession—one that arrived years too late, after childhoods like mine were permanently altered in the name of ‘care,'” Mosley wrote.
The ASPS explicitly stated that gender-affirming surgeries are not recommended until a patient is at least 19 years old. This aligns with emerging cautionary guidance from other health authorities emphasizing the developmental complexities of adolescence. The AMA’s updated position echoes this sentiment, signaling a retreat from previous endorsements that had supported earlier surgical interventions for transgender youth.
Medical experts have long debated the ethics and safety of gender-affirming care for minors, balancing the mental health benefits reported by some patients against the risks of irreversible physical changes. The new policies underscore the importance of protecting childhood innocence and ensuring that irreversible medical decisions are deferred until individuals reach an age where they can fully comprehend the consequences.
Childhood advocates emphasize that children require nurturing environments that allow them to explore identity without pressure or premature medical interventions. The AMA and ASPS reversals reflect an increasing awareness of these concerns. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ statement can be found on their official website, which outlines the recommended age thresholds and cautions for these procedures.
Detransitioners like Mosley have become vocal critics of the medical establishment’s previous approaches. Their testimonies have contributed to a broader reevaluation of gender care protocols nationwide. As Mosley poignantly noted, childhood is a time for imagination and growth, not for making life-altering decisions that may later lead to regret.
These developments come amid a wider national conversation about the role of medical professionals in gender identity care and the legal frameworks governing such treatments. The American Medical Association and American Society of Plastic Surgeons websites provide detailed information on their updated policies.
Meanwhile, health experts continue to monitor the evolving landscape of transgender health care, emphasizing evidence-based practices and patient safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers resources on adolescent health that contextualize these medical decisions within broader public health frameworks.
As the medical community recalibrates its approach, the voices of those affected—both detransitioners and transgender youth—remain central to shaping future policies. The recent admissions by the AMA and ASPS mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue about how best to support young people navigating gender identity with care, caution, and respect for their developmental needs.
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