Narratives of Adults Registered Female at Birth Who Started a Medical Transition and Later Detransitioned

Bibliographic Data

ID8355012
AuthorsJane Lomax (0000-0002-6692-0497, University of Bath), Catherine Butler (0000-0001-7589-9565, University of Bath, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume54
Issue4
Pages1671-1686
Publication date2025-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchives of Sexual Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0004-0002 • E-ISSN: 1573-2800
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10508-025-03083-9
PMID40195221
OpenAlexW4409270720
LanguageEN
References cited63

The visibility and presence of people who have detransitioned following a gender transition is growing, with an increase in research on the needs and experiences of this group. This study presents a thematic narrative analysis of interviews from six females (M = 25.5 yrs; range = 21–32 yrs). All detransitioned after having at least one gender-affirming medical or surgical treatment as part of a gender transition in the UK. Four narrative themes were developed to capture how they made sense of their detransition: (1) the limits of medical transition, (2) the longer-term health implications, (3) the social limits of transition, and (4) detransition as an ongoing process. Participants discussed a range of emotional, practical, and other support needs, largely unmet by healthcare or other services. These findings highlight the importance of ensuring that people have realistic expectations of transition as part of a holistic assessment process. Long-term health outcome research is also needed, addressing the impact of testosterone on female anatomy and health specifically. Further clinical implications with those considering transition or detransition are discussed

Developmental psychology · Health care · Narrative · Narrative inquiry · Political science · Public health · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Transition (genetics) · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Sex and Gender in Healthcare

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