The British government has indefinitely banned the use of puberty blockers for individuals under 18, citing concerns over “unacceptable safety risks.” This decision follows expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines and builds on earlier restrictions, including a temporary ban in May. Puberty blockers were previously prescribed to under-18s with gender dysphoria, but concerns over the reliability of studies and insufficient attention to patients seeking to reverse transitions led to a reassessment.
An earlier U.K. review into gender identity services found that studies about treatment for gender dysphoria were unreliable and there was a lack of attention paid to patients seeking to halt or reverse the gender transition process.
The ban, which will be reviewed in 2027, will apply across the UK. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced the move: “We need to act with caution and care when it comes to this vulnerable group of young people, and follow the expert advice.” Streeting pledged to open more gender identity services in the U.K. The policy will apply across the U.K. and the government will set up a trial into the clinical use of puberty blockers next year.
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