Former Teen Patient Details Harrowing Experience with Experimental Gender-affirming Treatments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At just 15 years old, Prisha Mosley found herself navigating a medical system that promised relief from her mental health struggles but ultimately left her with permanent physical and psychological scars. In a candid testimony, Mosley revealed that the clinicians overseeing her gender-affirming care were, in her words, “winging it,” administering treatments without established long-term data or consensus on safety for vulnerable youth.
Her story surfaced amid increasing national debate over the appropriateness of gender-affirming medical interventions for minors. Mosley recounted how, after a single appointment seeking help for severe mental health challenges including borderline personality disorder and anorexia, she was prescribed testosterone and later underwent irreversible surgeries such as mastectomy. “I believed my doctors when they told me that girls could become boys, and that removing my breasts was the ‘life-saving care’ I needed to avoid taking my own life,” she said.
According to a recording obtained from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), one clinician admitted to colleagues that they were “winging it” with these treatments, acknowledging a lack of definitive protocols. This admission has fueled concerns about the experimental nature of such care, especially for minors. Experts emphasize that medical professionals are bound by the principle to “do no harm,” a standard Mosley believes was violated in her case.
Her experience aligns with recent actions by federal authorities. The Department of Justice has initiated investigations targeting doctors and clinics offering gender transition procedures to minors, citing potential legal and ethical violations. Meanwhile, some major medical centers are reevaluating their youth gender programs; for example, prominent hospitals in Connecticut have begun “winding down” such services, citing an “evolving landscape” and the need for caution.
Medical experts note that while mental health crises in youth require compassionate and evidence-based care, the rush to irreversible interventions without robust long-term studies raises alarms. The National Institute of Mental Health underscores the importance of comprehensive psychological support and stabilization before considering medical procedures.
Advocates for transgender youth argue that gender-affirming care can be life-saving when delivered appropriately. However, Mosley’s testimony highlights the risks when vulnerable patients are subjected to treatments without full understanding or adequate safeguards. “I was not in a good enough place or old enough to understand that I was being medically abused,” she said. “Having my healthy body parts destroyed and discarded only deepened my trauma.”
As policymakers and medical communities grapple with these complex issues, the need for transparent research, informed consent, and patient-centered care remains paramount. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to monitor health outcomes related to gender-affirming treatments, aiming to inform best practices moving forward.
Prisha Mosley’s story serves as a stark reminder of the profound consequences when medical experimentation intersects with vulnerable youth, underscoring calls for greater oversight and caution in gender-affirming care protocols.
Leave a Reply