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Transgender Medicine pp 165–181Cite as

Endocrine Care of Transgender Children and Adolescents

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

The medical approach to transgender children and adolescents is outlined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the Endocrine Society. All treatment considerations must be guided by careful assessment for the diagnosis of gender dysphoria by a mental health professional with experience in gender identity and working with youth. Prior to the start of puberty, no medical intervention is required. Medical interventions in pubertal youth are aimed at suppressing the development of the secondary sex characteristics of the natal sex and promoting the development of secondary sex characteristics of the affirmed sex. Suppression of puberty using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can be considered at Tanner stage 2. Initiation of gender-affirming hormones (testosterone or estrogen) has historically been considered at age 16, however, contemporary practice is trending to use patient and family readiness factors as opposed to an age restriction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Mott Children’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Daniel Evan Shumer & Adrian Araya

Authors
  1. Daniel Evan Shumer
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  2. Adrian Araya
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Correspondence to Daniel Evan Shumer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Friedman Transgender Health and Wellness Program, Division of Endocrinology, Lenox Hill Hospital, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY, USA

    Leonid Poretsky

  2. Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Wylie C. Hembree

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Shumer, D.E., Araya, A. (2019). Endocrine Care of Transgender Children and Adolescents. In: Poretsky, L., Hembree, W. (eds) Transgender Medicine. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05683-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05683-4_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-05682-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-05683-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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