Of course 98% of people who currently identify as trans saw a quality of life increase on HRT. When they desist, we cease to count them.

Just a quick perusal of trans subs on Reddit shows that a lot more than 2% of users are dissatisfied with their hormonal results and their frequent posts are heartbreaking.

What's fueling this discrepancy? Is Reddit just a lighting rod for the unsatisfied or are people saying what they think they're supposed to say in these studies?

That said, I have seen for myself that pressure against transition is also a factor, and regrettably, I think people are superficial and are maybe only willing to accept the transition of a person who passes, making the defense of HRT that much more important in the hopes of eventually establishing acceptance from cis family and friends.

There are psychodynamic perspective reasons for this, but I'll save them for an upcoming writing.