UK halts puberty blockers for minors, focuses on research trials

Mar 13

Lauren Taylor Reporter

By Lauren Taylor (Reporter), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

This report was created with support from enhanced software.

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The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) announced Tuesday, March 12, that puberty blockers will no longer be prescribed to children under 18, except within regulated clinical trials. Puberty blockers are utilized to delay the onset of puberty.

According to the agency, these blockers will now only be accessible as part of research trials after a review cited insufficient evidence regarding their safety and effectiveness.

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The NHS initiated an independent review of gender identity treatments for minors in 2020 in response to a “significant increase” in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service, which is set to close at the end of March.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield welcomed the decision, emphasizing the safety of children.

Simultaneously, an ongoing consultation on gender services has received over 4,000 responses, underscoring a divided public opinion.

This development is the latest in the contentious treatment, which has also triggered protests in the United States over gender-affirming care in children.

England’s NHS aims to commence a study on the use of puberty blockers by December 2024.

According to BBC, fewer than 100 young people in England currently receive these blockers through the NHS, and their treatment will continue.

Tags: Gender identity, Puberty blockers, United Kingdom

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

PUBERTY BLOCKERS WILL NO LONGER BE PRESCRIBED TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IN ENGLAND — OUTSIDE OF REGULATED CLINICAL TRIALS, THE COUNTRY’S NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY.

PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE USED TO DELAY THE EFFECTS OF PUBERTY.

THE AGENCY SAYS THESE BLOCKERS WILL NOW ONLY BE AVAILABLE AS PART OF RESEARCH TRIALS. THE DECISION FOLLOWS A REVIEW CITING INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR THEIR SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS.

THE NHS CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF GENDER IDENTITY TREATMENTS FOR MINORS IN 2020 AMID A “SIGNIFICANT INCREASE” IN REFERRALS TO THE GENDER IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE , WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE AT THE END OF MARCH.

HEALTH MINISTER MARIA CAULFIELD WELCOMED THE DECISION, EMPHASIZING CHILDREN’S SAFETY.

MEANWHILE, AN ONGOING CONSULTATION ON GENDER SERVICES HAS GARNERED OVER 4,000 RESPONSES, REFLECTING A DIVIDED PUBLIC OPINION.

IT’S THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTROVERSIAL TREATMENT THAT HAS SPARKED PROTESTS IN THE U.S., AS WELL, OVER GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE IN CHILDREN.

NHS ENGLAND PLANS TO START A STUDY ON PUBERTY BLOCKERS’ USE BY DECEMBER 2024.

FEWER THAN 100 YOUNG PEOPLE IN ENGLAND CURRENTLY RECEIVE THESE BLOCKERS THROUGH THE NHS, AND THEIR TREATMENT WILL CONTINUE, REPORTS THE BBC.