Ethical Implications of Treatment for Gender Dysphoria in Youth

Abstract

This manuscript explores ethical implications of treatment for youth with diagnosed gender dysphoria. The ethical condiderations outlined and analyzed in this essay involve illuminating an understanding of whether the administration of pubertal suppression with GnRH agonists, and cross-sex hormones to children with gender dysphoria is morally justified as treatment to manage their psychological distress, or if safer more understood alternatives exist. This essay emphasizes that as health care professionals, we must ensure youth with genger dysphoria receive adequate medical treatment and care. This essay concludes through extensive literature review, that the use of inconclusive and underresearched methods to manage gender dysphoria cannot be ethically justified and therefore should be re-evaluated.