Chloe Cole, 21, says puberty blockers, testosterone and a double mastectomy she received between ages 12–16 caused lasting harm, including unknown fertility and failing skin grafts. She testified at an HHS event announcing proposed rules to limit gender-related procedures for minors after a presidential directive. Cole has sued hospitals through the Center for American Liberty, and medical experts quoted in the report urge a cautious, mental-health-first approach for minors.
Detransitioner Chloe Cole Describes Lasting Harms From Youth Gender Procedures as HHS Proposes New Restrictions
Detransitioner Chloe Cole joined HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday as he announced proposed regulations ending gender treatments for children.
Chloe Cole, a 21-year-old detransitioner, spoke Thursday at a Department of Health and Human Services event where officials outlined proposed regulatory steps intended to limit gender-related medical procedures for minors. The announcement follows a presidential directive directing HHS to prioritize protections for children, and HHS officials said the measures could remove federal support from hospitals that provide certain transition treatments to minors.
Cole, who underwent medical transition between the ages of 12 and 16, told reporters she received puberty blockers, testosterone injections and a double mastectomy and that those interventions have produced lasting, irreversible effects on her health and wellbeing.
"I had very little experience in the world, and I simply would not be mature enough to be equipped to undergo such a life-changing procedure in every way," Cole, pictured above in both pictures, told Fox News Digital.
What Cole Says Happened
Cole described a clinical pathway focused on affirming her expressed feelings rather than exploring underlying issues or fully discussing potential long-term risks. She said clinicians emphasized perceived benefits—such as increased body hair, muscle changes and altered fat distribution—while downplaying or failing to communicate possible harms.
"As soon as gender was in the picture, none of my doctors or psychologists asked the real questions that they should have," Cole said. "The entire focus was on my feelings and what I wanted rather than what I really needed in that moment."
She told reporters she needed support and acceptance rather than irreversible medical intervention, describing herself at the time as a "tomboyish" child. Cole also said her parents felt pressured during the process and were warned that denying transition could lead to suicide, a threat she says forced their decision under duress.
Cole, who detransitioned after medical procedures, is warning others to wait and seek family support before transitioning.
Health Consequences and Legal Action
Cole reported a range of ongoing complications: an uncertain fertility outlook, inability to breastfeed because of the mastectomy, and failing areolar skin grafts that began to deteriorate two years after surgery—requiring daily bandages and continued care. In 2023 she filed a lawsuit with the Center for American Liberty against hospitals she says pushed her into irreversible procedures.
Mark Trammell of the Center for American Liberty described the HHS announcement as "a critical acknowledgment" that experimental interventions for children have not met adequate safety and effectiveness standards and urged accountability for institutions that promoted those practices.
Cole began the gender transition process at age 12 and received a double mastectomy surgery at 15 years old.
Medical Perspectives
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital he supports a more conservative, measured approach for minors. He warned that puberty blockers may have long-term consequences—such as reduced bone density, cognitive and concentration impacts, and possible effects on fertility—and argued that mental health care should generally be prioritized before irreversible medical interventions.
"The welfare of the child must come first," Dr. Siegel said. "In this case, it means going very slowly and providing support to a child or teen with gender dysphoria."
Cole's Message
Cole urged young people who are questioning their gender to delay irreversible medical steps and seek support from family, faith or counseling. "While there are only two sexes, there are a million different ways that you can be yourself," she said, encouraging others to explore nonmedical pathways first.
This report attributes claims about medical harms and clinical practices to Cole, her legal team and quoted medical analysts. The HHS proposal and the broader policy debate involve complex medical, ethical and legal questions that are evolving nationally.
