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NHS England Ends Routine Prescription of Puberty Blockers for Minors

The decision, citing lack of evidence on safety and effectiveness, prompts clinical trials and sparks debate among medical and LGBTQ communities.

Talking with a medical or mental health professional is an important step in considering puberty blockers for children, experts said.
Access to puberty blockers, which can be administered via injection or arm implant, is under new restriction in England.
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Tavistock gender identity clinic was closed by the NHS in 2022 (Sky News Australia/Youtube) puberty

Overview

  • NHS England halts routine prescription of puberty blockers to minors with gender dysphoria, citing insufficient evidence of safety and effectiveness.
  • The new policy limits hormone therapy to clinical trials, with exceptions in exceptional cases, while current patients remain unaffected.
  • Puberty blockers, used since the 1960s for conditions like precocious puberty, face scrutiny over long-term effects on cognitive development, fertility, and bone health.
  • Research on puberty blockers for gender dysphoria shows potential mental health benefits but is often contested and based on small sample sizes.
  • The decision has sparked debate among medical professionals and LGBTQ groups, with concerns over access to gender-affirming care.