76 — Detransition Part II — The Emerging Picture in Research

In this second episode on detransition (following from EP 74), Sasha and Stella dig into several pieces of research on detransition experiences. They discuss surveys and case studies and analyze the data which is forming a picture of why detransition happens and what appropriate therapeutic care might look like for this vulnerable group. Themes emerge such as misattributing distress to the body’s sex, unprocessed grief and trauma, medical complications, and dissatisfaction with medical transition.

Links:

Genspect Analysis of detrans Reddit survey: 

https://genspect.org/analysis-of-reddit-detrans-survey/

Pablo Exposito-Campos Detransition Paper: 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2020.1869126

Lisa Littman’s Research Papers: 

https://littmanresearch.com/publications/

Littman on Gender: A Wider Lens Podcast — EP 52: https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/52-gender-dysphoria-detransition-research-a-conversation-w-dr-lisa-littman

Genspect Highlights of Lisa’s Paper: 

https://genspect.org/detransition-highlights-of-dr-littmans-latest-peer-reviewed-study/

Case Study: “Maya,” Lisa Marchiano 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1468-5922.12711 

The Seventh Penis, Bob Withers: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25989331/

Detransition-Related Needs & Support Survey, Vandenbussche: 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00918369.2021.1919479

Detrans reddit survey (not formal data) 

https://www.reddit.com/r/detrans/comments/srpp27/the_rdetrans_demographic_survey_screened_and/

Taking the Lid off the Box: 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330911243_'Taking_the_lid_off_the_box'_The_value_of_extended_clinical_assessment_for_adolescents_presenting_with_gender_identity_difficulties

Extended Notes

• The 1% regret rate stat is misleading.

• There is no clear understanding of how many people change their minds about transitioning.

• Gender dysphoria is different than sex dysphoria.

• Some are disappointed because they say the physical reality of transitioning wasn't very satisfying.

• We are all vain. We all care about how we look.

• There are medical complications with transition surgery.

• Does a relationship to sexual orientation keep someone in a trans-identity longer?

• Autistic people might be more likely to remain transitioned.

• In one study, 70% of respondents said they realized their gender dysphoria was related to other issues.

• Is human suffering, in all of its bizarre variations, something we must eradicate as soon as we have the means? Sasha says no.

• The number of people in de-trans Reddit is over 34,000 as of this recording.

• Pablo Expósito Campos started the conversation with core de-trans and non-core de-trans.

• There is a de-transition of the mind (letting go of gender identity theory) and the de-transition of the body.

• The idea that gender transition encompasses all of a person’s issues has to change.

• Not all medical transitions result in the “promised land” for transitioners.

• Sasha believes the possibility exists to get everyone on board about finding the root cause of distress through gender identity therapy.

• Stella doesn’t think medical gatekeeping is the way forward. An awareness campaign would offer more information.

This podcast is sponsored by ReIME and Genspect. Visit https://rethinkime.org/ and https://genspect.org/ to learn more.

For more about our show: https://linktr.ee/WiderLensPod