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Myth 5: Lots of trans people regret their transitions and subsequently detransition

by Naomi Ferguson on 2025-11-20T13:00:00+11:00 | 0 Comments

Myth 5: Lots of trans people regret their transitions and subsequently detransition

Today is Trans Day of Remembrance where we take a moment to honour the memory of trans, gender-diverse and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence and discrimination.

Those opposing Transgender and Gender Diverse people continue to promote cases of people expressing regret and subsequently detransition back to their ‘sex assigned at birth’. Data shows that rather than seeing high rates of people ‘detransitioning’, it is, in fact, extremely low with only 1% of those who enter Gender-Affirming care regretting their decision. This is in stark contrast to regret rates of 21% and higher for ‘aesthetic surgeries’ in the general population.
Research is also proving that for the 1% or less who ‘re-identify with sex assigned at birth’ the reasons driving their ‘detransition’ is often due to external pressures or other medical priorities and not transition regret.

Based on multiple research outcomes both internationally and within Australia, regret rates after transition for Trans, Gender-Diverse and Non-Binary people are extremely rare. Where there are claims of widespread de-transition it is often based on flawed or biased studies which are disputed by more reliable research.

When it comes to reasons why people may pause or want to reverse their transition the most common reason is due to external pressures. These pressures can be family rejection, workplace discrimination and/or lack of support from friends or work colleagues. Regret about their gender identify has been shown to be the rarest reason for why someone will reverse or stop their gender affirming care.

What has been proven is that gender-affirming care leads to improved mental health, lower rates of depression and reduced suicidality. It is clear from the research that when a trans, gender-diverse or non-binary person is supported to make an informed decision about their own bodies, their satisfaction and wellbeing outcomes are overwhelmingly positive. The facts are clearly showing that regret is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to detransitioning. It is also clear that our challenge is not about restricting who is allowed to access appropriate healthcare but that we ensure that all trans, gender-diverse and non-binary people can access healthcare and support to enable them to live their true selves in a safe and supportive community.

To learn more about this you can read the full discussion on this myth in the Trans Talking Points Report, pages 15 -17.

With Pride,
Holmesglen Pride Network


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