Dr. Khatchadourian Questions Canada's Gender Treatments

0:00Dr. Kareen Kachadorian, a top pediatric endocrinologist from Ottawa, just spoke at the University of Alberta about the shaky evidence behind Canada's treatments for gender-distressed youth. She's treated around 250 to 300 kids over 12 years, starting as one of the first to offer hormones back in 2014. Now she says the data on puberty blockers shows no clear psychological benefits, especially with today's cases, mostly teen girls with mental health, struggles and no early childhood history of dysphoria. The patient makes his flip dramatically, from mostly boys with lifelong issues to natal females influenced by social media and peers. Ten years ago, non-binary identities were rare, now they're everywhere, raising questions about social contagion over true dysphoria. Kachadorian worries clinics lack enough trained mental health experts to sort this out before jumping to meds. Doctors face fierce backlash for doubting the affirming model called transphobic by activists or accused of bias by critics.

1:05Reviews from McMaster researchers, like Dr. Gordon Gaetz team, rated evidence as very low certainty, sparking attacks from all sides. Public support for youth gender care is dropping fast, even among liberals, while Europe-like Britain and Sweden vans blockers for kids and Alberta. Limits them under 16. Privately, more Canadian providers are pulling back, recognizing not every case needs medical transition. Kachadorian pushes for a national review, with doctors, families, trans folks and detransitioners to match practices with real data. She favors holistic support like Finland's meds, only for persistent early onset cases and stresses fertility risks. Youth often dismissed too lightly. This feels evolving quick, with new studies forcing a rethink on what really helps these kids long-term. Kachadorian stepping back from clinic leadership to consult and treat diabetes, but her call to trust the evidence over ideology hits hard as. Scrutiny grows worldwide.

2:05Stay informed with Calgary News today, AI-powered updates. I'm Corey with The Story.