Melanie Crites-Bachert, MD

Meet Dr. Melanie Crites-Bachert, a member of Do No Harm.

As a urologist who specializes in pelvic reconstruction, she has seen the irreversible damages of so-called “gender-affirming care” – and now she’s speaking out. 

Dr. Crites-Bachert opened the 360 Pelvic Health Institute to focus on complex female pelvic and incontinence issues. She treats women nationwide, and was shocked to discover how poorly the side effects of hormonal and surgical interventions are understood by the medical community – and how patients suffer the consequences as a result.

“I saw an adult woman transitioning to male, who was referred to me by her doctor back home after being prescribed very high doses of testosterone,” she says. 

“She started experiencing chronic pelvic pain, and her doctor assumed the issue was urological. In reality, the clitoris had become engorged and was simulating a male erection. Her prescribing doctor had no clue what was happening – he didn’t know the side effects of the testosterone he’d prescribed. If doctors can’t provide true informed consent to their adult patients, they certainly can’t provide it to children.”

Dr. Crites-Bachert is on a mission to make sure that patients and parents know the facts.

“No, these puberty blockers are not reversible,” she explains. “These are medicines that I’ve used on men with prostate cancer and that society uses to chemically castrate prisoners and pedophiles. These are not medications for kids.”

“Remember – if you undergo hormonal or surgical interventions, you will never be 100% what you used to be. You can have breasts put back on, but they won’t be natural. You’re always going to be putting hormones into your body, one way or another. Everything is going to be artificial, scarred, and malfunctioning in some way that will require continuous care for the rest of your life.”

Her advice to parents? Slow down, do your research, and listen to your gut.

“There is so much pressure on parents now,” she says. “Don’t fall for the emotional manipulation. You know what is best for your child. Be brave. Do your own research. Get a second, third, fourth opinion. Break out of the echo chamber and focus on the evidence.”

“Puberty is something that’s been happening since the beginning of time. Puberty has not changed – outside influences have changed, and children are hurting in ways they never used to hurt before. Dr. Miriam Grossman has a terrific book that helps parents prepare for these conversations.”

Dr. Crites-Bachert warns parents to also be on the lookout for “sanctuary states” that allow gender clinics to operate in the shadows. “I recently got a letter from the State of Massachusetts inviting doctors with revoked medical licenses to come practice in the state. It basically stated that if the doctor lost their license for practicing ‘gender care’ in another state, Massachusetts won’t disclose the revoked license on its website. It also won’t share information across state lines, or take steps to extradite the doctor. Furthermore, if these doctors prescribe hormones, their names don’t even need to appear on the prescription bottle – only the clinic would be listed. They are eliminating all traces of accountability and transparency.”

When Dr. Crites-Bachert began participating in interviews on gender medicine and pelvic function, she quickly learned of Do No Harm, using its website for occasional research. “When you are in this space and you start speaking out, you know Do No Harm,” she says.

Since making the decision to speak out, negativity from social media and select colleagues has started slowly trickling in. “That’s okay, I’m ready for it,” she says. “It’s worth it because the stakes are high. We are saving children. It’s our responsibility to keep them safe.”

Thank you Dr. Crites-Bachert for using your voice to shine a light on the dangers of hormonal and surgical interventions on children, who are not able to give informed consent. Parents need a full picture of what is going on before they turn their children into patients for life.