New Database Reveals Over 5,700 Minors Underwent Gender-Affirming Surgeries in the U.S.

 

A newly launched database has disclosed that more than 5,700 minors in the United States underwent gender-affirming surgeries between 2019 and 2023. The database, created by the advocacy group Do No Harm, tracks locations where children receive treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical interventions for gender dysphoria.

The database, titled "Does My Hospital Transition Kids?", was unveiled on October 9 and shows that a total of 13,994 minors received gender-affirming care during the four-year span. Researchers identified 5,747 unique minors who underwent surgeries, including mastectomies and genital reassignment procedures. Additionally, 8,579 children received puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy, leading to over 60,000 prescriptions issued nationwide.

Data was collected from insurance claims across the country, although some health plans, such as Kaiser and self-pay options, were excluded from the analysis. The total insurance claims for these treatments, affecting approximately 14,000 patients, amounted to $119 million.

The database also highlights significant regional disparities in access to transgender medical care. Notably, California accounted for over $28 million in costs related to these treatments, with approximately 2,000 patients. Irreversible surgeries were most common in certain states, with California reporting 1,359 minors undergoing surgical procedures. Other states with notable numbers include Oregon (357), Washington (330), Pennsylvania (316), and Massachusetts (300).

Do No Harm’s findings suggest that these figures may be underestimated, aiming to provide clearer insights for the public, policymakers, and researchers regarding gender-affirming care for minors. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of Do No Harm, stated during a press conference, “We’ve really been meticulous in trying to make sure that the data are as clear and accurate as possible. If anything, we’re showing the lower limits of what’s going on... We’re probably and almost certainly understating the nature of the problem.”

Activist Chloe Cole, who detransitioned after receiving gender-affirming treatment as a minor, criticized the medical community, alleging that “thousands of kids are being treated like guinea pigs for unproven medical experiments.” Cole underwent a double mastectomy at age 15 and started taking puberty blockers and testosterone at age 13. She urged politicians and parents to use the database to identify where these treatments are being provided and to protect children from being rushed into irreversible, life-altering medical decisions.