New research debunks the 85% detransitioning myth in transgender youth

Claims about high rates of detransitioning among transgender youth have been widely debated. A frequently cited figure of 85% originates from a 2011 Dutch paper reviewing older studies. However, recent research paints a different picture of persistence in gender identity after transitioning.

The 2011 Dutch study analysed research from 1968 to 2008, with many papers published before 2000. It did not track detransitioning or regret but simply noted whether patients continued or stopped treatment. At the time, diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria were less strict than today's standards, which now require 'persistent discomfort' and a formal diagnosis.

More recent findings challenge the older data. A 2022 study found that 94% of children who socially transitioned still identified as transgender or nonbinary five years later. Similarly, research on adolescents receiving puberty-blocking treatment shows less than 9% discontinued treatment or returned to their sex assigned at birth. Experts also note that stopping transition does not always mean someone reverts to their biological sex. Reasons for halting the process can vary widely. Additionally, some individuals in older studies might not meet current definitions of being transgender. Despite claims that nearly 90% of people eventually identify with their biological sex after transition, recent evidence does not support this figure. The available data from the past decade does not yet provide long-term outcomes for all youth who socially transitioned after 2010.

The 85% figure often cited in discussions about detransitioning relies on outdated research. Current studies indicate much higher rates of persistence in gender identity after social or medical transition. The reasons for stopping treatment remain complex and do not always reflect a return to one's biological sex identity.