What’s the Buzz About?

This study investigates how an individual's sex assigned at birth affects the age at which they seek specialist gender-affirming care. By analyzing referral data from gender clinics in Melbourne, Australia, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the researchers aimed to understand patterns in the timing of care-seeking behavior among transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

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Key Findings

• Childhood Referrals (Under 10 Years): In Melbourne, 59.6% of referrals were individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB); in Amsterdam, this figure was 47.1%.
• Adolescent Referrals (10–19 Years): AMAB individuals comprised 31.3% of referrals in Melbourne and 30.5% in Amsterdam
• Young Adult Referrals (20–29 Years): The proportion of AMAB referrals increased to 56.1% in Melbourne and 52.5% in Amsterdam.
• Adult Referrals (30 Years and Over): AMAB individuals represented 68.4% of referrals in Melbourne and 70.7% in Amsterdam.

These patterns suggest that AMAB individuals are more likely to seek gender-affirming care during early childhood and adulthood, with a notable decline during adolescence.

Why It Matters

• Societal Influences: The underrepresentation of AMAB adolescents in referrals may reflect societal factors such as transphobia and trans misogyny, which can delay care-seeking behavior or disclosure of trans identity in the teenage years for those assigned male at birth
• Healthcare Planning: Understanding these patterns is important for healthcare providers and policymakers to ensure that gender-affirming services are accessible and responsive to the needs of all individuals

Study Limitations

• Retrospective Design: The study's retrospective nature limits the ability to establish causality between assigned sex and age of referral.
• Geographical Scope: Data were collected from clinics in Melbourne and Amsterdam, which may not be representative of patterns in other regions or countries

Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

Which age group showed the lowest proportion of AMAB individuals seeking gender-affirming care?

A) Under 10 years
B) 10–19 years
C) 20–29 years
D) 30 years and over


B) 10–19 years - AMAB individuals comprised only about 30% of adolescent referrals, indicating a significant drop during this age period.

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Read the full research: Kahn, F. K., Wiepjes, C. M., Colon-Cabrera, D., Tollit, M. A., Hoq, M., Feldman, D., Ravine, A., Lane, R., Steensma, T. D., & Pang, K. C. (2025). Effect of assigned sex on the age at which individuals seek specialist gender affirming care. International Journal of Transgender Health.

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