Claire Abernathy, 21, Says Transition at 14 Left Lifelong Pain and Regret

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 22

Abernathy said doctors prescribed testosterone a week after her 14th birthday and approved a double mastectomy eight months later, leaving her with irreversible changes she now deeply regrets at 21.
She linked her gender distress to childhood sexual abuse and said clinicians failed to investigate that trauma or offer alternatives before moving her into medical transition.
Her account details severe urological problems, vaginal atrophy, chronic genital pain, voice damage and permanent nerve injury after what she said was a drains-free mastectomy that left tissue necrosis and open wounds.
Three clinicians signed off despite her disclosing abuse, she said, arguing that pediatric gender medicine prioritizes affirmation over psychological evaluation and lacks long-term safety evidence or reliable tracking of detransition complications.

Who is accountable when a minor's gender transition leads to lifelong regret and physical harm?

How can medicine support detransitioners without restricting care for the majority of transgender youth?

Is the 'affirmative care' model for trans youth overlooking underlying psychological trauma?