On Wednesday, the UK government decided to stop using puberty blockers for children who feel they are in the wrong body. Experts found these medications may not be safe for kids, leading to this indefinite ban. This decision goes against what many doctors and experts in other countries, like those in Europe and the US, recommend.
The ban means that doctors cannot give these drugs to kids who are struggling with their gender identity. This is a big change since many doctors have used puberty blockers as a way to help young people transition to their true gender. The ban will be reviewed again in 2027.
This decision comes after a judge decided to keep a temporary ban that was put in place earlier this year. The Conservative government first announced this ban, and now the Labour government will continue it. The ban does not affect children who are already taking these blockers or those studying them for special medical conditions, like early puberty.
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said they will set up a new clinical trial next year to better understand how these drugs affect young people. He said it’s important to be careful when dealing with such a vulnerable group.
The National Health Service (NHS) in England stopped giving puberty blockers to kids last year because they believed there wasn’t enough evidence to support their safety and effectiveness. A judge also mentioned that there were serious risks and very few benefits to the treatment, noting that the evidence around these options is weak.
Some groups, like the British Medical Association and TransActual, disagree with the ban. TransActual said, “Banning medications without proof of serious harm is unfair towards trans people.” They believe the risks of this permanent ban will lead to more problems for young people in the future.