Trans youth will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at NHS England gender identity clinics in a “blow” to gender-affirming healthcare.

Trans youth will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at NHS England gender identity clinics in a new “blow” to gender-affirming healthcare.

Puberty blockers are a type of medicine that prevent puberty from starting by blocking the hormones – like testosterone and oestrogen – that lead to puberty-related changes in the body. In the case of trans youth, this can delay unwanted physical changes like menstruation, breast growth, voice changes or facial hair growth.

On Tuesday (12 March), NHS England confirmed the medicine, which has been described as “life-saving” medical care for trans youth, will only be available to young people as part of clinical research trials.

The government described the move as a “landmark decision”, Sky News reported. It believed such a move is in the “best interests of the child”.

  • Tattorack@lemmy.worldEnglish
    01·
    6 months ago

    We know so little about the actual process of gender dysphoria. Hormone blockers don’t solve or fix anything, but have been used simply because it’s the only thing that does something. Essentially bringing a blunt instrument to the problem.

    Considering the harmful nature of hormone blockers, I’m for not prescribing puberty blockers to youth. However, only so long as more research is put into it.