The National Health Service in England has prohibited the use of puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria or gender incongruence in transgender minors.
The NHS has not announced that it will limit puberty blockers for non-transgender children and young people.
An NHS representative told ABC News that the agency hopes to have research on the use of puberty blockers in place by December of this year, with eligibility criteria to be determined.
The agency said it took the decision after reviewing information from England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
“We have concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the safety or clinical effectiveness of puberty-suppressing hormones to make the treatment routinely available at this time,” an NHS representative told ABC News.
According to a recent report from the BBC, the number of young people in England who are currently receiving puberty blockers from the NHS is less than 100. These individuals will be able to continue their treatments as prescribed.
According to the guidelines of the Endocrine Society, puberty blockers offer the opportunity for individuals to further explore their gender identity. Moreover, these blockers provide families with the necessary time to make informed decisions regarding their future plans for gender and gender-affirming care.
The Endocrine Society warns that the use of puberty blockers may carry certain risks. These risks include low bone mineral density, headaches, hot flashes, fatigue, and mood changes.
According to professionals interviewed by ABC News, there have been no reported cases of fertility issues in individuals who have temporarily used puberty blockers. However, the Endocrine Society has identified it as a potential risk when puberty blockers are used.
Physicians emphasize that like any medical intervention, gender-affirming care carries its own set of risks. However, understanding the potential risks and benefits of treatment, as well as the consequences of not treating a condition, can empower families to make well-informed decisions.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and other prominent medical associations in the United States all concur that gender-affirming care is not only safe, but also highly effective, beneficial, and medically necessary.
Research has revealed that transgender youth are prone to encountering higher levels of anxiety, feelings of depression, and thoughts of self-harm and suicide. These distressing experiences can be primarily attributed to the adverse effects of gender-related discrimination and the challenges associated with gender dysphoria.
According to studies published in the Pediatrics and LGBT Health journals, there is evidence to suggest that puberty blockers can have a positive impact on gender dysphoria and social motivation. These studies have shown significant improvements in these areas, as well as a decrease in self-harm and suicidality.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 23 states in the U.S. have implemented restrictions on gender-affirming care. These states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.
Legal challenges have thwarted the implementation of policies in several states.
Critics are expressing their concerns about the potential consequences of these U.S. laws on the mental and physical well-being of transgender youth, who are already a small and marginalized group.
Advocates for these laws argue that transgender youth should defer making decisions about their health until they reach a more mature age.
