Girl Suffering Gender Dysphoria Attempts to Remove Breasts After Watching YouTube

By Nina Nguyen 5/22/2024  Updated: 5/22/2024

A New Zealand teenage girl suffering from gender dysphoria has attempted to conduct a self-mastectomy after watching a tutorial video on YouTube.

The incident was reported in an article published on May 17 in the New Zealand Medical Journal, used as a case study in a bid to push for better access to publicly funded gender transition surgery.

According to the report, an 18-year-old girl with gender dysphoria tried to cut off her breast at home after watching a “how to” video on YouTube, preparing the equipment, and marking the incisions.

She also reportedly considered analgesia (pain relief medicine) and haemostasis, a process to stop bleeding.

At the time, the teenager was already on testosterone and was on a gender transition surgery waiting list.

The attempt left her with bodily injuries and a risk of nerve damage. A graphic photo in the report (pdf) showed the girl’s breasts with severe, deep lacerations.