Transgender Dilemma in the Young

Dr. Hansen delivers an outstanding look at the transgender phenomenon and how it is affecting our youth in a book which is broad in scope, yet concise. He starts with definitions and statistics and then moves to the root causes of the development of dysphoria in children such as trauma and social media use. He then takes a deep dive into the problems of hormonal manipulations and surgeries followed by the abrupt change of course of several European nations in using these interventions. And all of this backed with useful quotes and references and enhanced by engaging illustrations. As an endocrinologist, I clearly recognize that if anything, endocrinology is about balance. The hormones of the body need to be finely tuned in order to bring about both physical and mental health. The inevitable harms that result from driving these hormones far out of their normal ranges by "gender affirmative care" are clearly expressed in Dr. Hansen's explanations (and I am both proud and grateful that he has used some of my graphics for illustration). But as Dr. Hansen rightly points out, a mind that is unbalanced is no less dangerous than a body unbalanced and in fact the two need to be viewed as an integrated whole. It is this desire to bring about such healthy wholeness to youth that has guided his years of clinical experience with children and, in my opinion, provides him with the best vantage point to see how those suffering with gender dysphoria may be healed. This book is a most excellent and strong step forward in that direction. Michael K. Laidlaw, MD Board Certified Endocrinologist Rocklin, CA, USA