Changes in England's Health Service Regarding Puberty Blockers for Transgender Youth
Recent developments in England's National Health Service (NHS) have led to the discontinuation of prescribing puberty blockers for children and young individuals with gender dysphoria. This decision was made due to insufficient evidence supporting the safety and clinical effectiveness of puberty-suppressing hormones in this population.
England’s National Health Service (NHS) has decided to stop prescribing puberty blockers for children and young people with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence. This decision was made because there is not enough evidence to support the safety or clinical effectiveness of these hormones.
NHS England carefully considered an evidence review it commissioned in 2020 before making this decision. It also reviewed evidence published since then, as stated in a policy document released on Tuesday. This move has received criticism from LGBTQ groups.
Puberty blockers will now only be offered to young people in clinical research trials and certain private clinics, according to a report from UK’s PA Media on Tuesday. Currently, fewer than 100 young individuals are receiving puberty blockers through the NHS, and they will still have access to this treatment.
In addition, puberty blockers will be accessible through select private gender identity clinics.
Treatment for young people according to the NHS clinical policy primarily involves providing psychosocial and psychological support. Gender-affirming hormones and surgery may be options that are considered later on in adulthood.
LGBTQ advocates have noted that gender-affirming care for young people in England has been under legal and political scrutiny in recent years. This scrutiny has occurred alongside an increase in anti-trans rhetoric in the country.
Members of the Scottish Family Party protest alongside supporters of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (Scotland) outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, ahead of a debate on the bill. Picture date: Tuesday December 20, 2022. (Press Association via AP Images)
A group of Scottish Family Party members stood in protest with supporters of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (Scotland) outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. This demonstration took place before a debate on the bill. The photo was taken on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. (Press Association via AP Images)
Jane Barlow/Press Association via AP
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The UK government has blocked Scotland's new gender recognition law. Some British politicians have expressed their support for NHS England's announcement. Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins emphasized the importance of basing decisions on clinical evidence, especially when it comes to our children's health and wellbeing.
Health minister Maria Caulfield praised the policy, emphasizing the importance of children's safety and wellbeing.
On the other hand, LGBTQ campaign group Stonewall expressed criticism towards Tuesday's announcement. They stated that all transgender youth should have access to high quality and timely healthcare.
Some individuals find that a crucial aspect of their care involves puberty blockers. These are reversible treatments that can postpone the start of puberty, recommended by experienced endocrinologists. This allows young individuals more time to consider their future plans.
The charity expressed worry that NHS England may delay issuing new prescriptions until a research protocol is established by the end of 2024.
Mermaids, a charity that supports trans, non-binary, and gender-questioning children and young people, expressed disappointment with the recent NHS announcement. They believe it further limits the support available to trans youth, who are already underserved by the NHS.
Gender-affirming care is a crucial form of medical treatment that is backed by evidence. It involves a comprehensive approach to help individuals transition from their assigned gender at birth to their true gender identity.
Activists advocating for transgender rights come together outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 1, 2023.
Activists for transgender rights gather in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images/FILE
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The Supreme Court is facing pressure to intervene in the discussion on transgender rights.
Puberty blocking is a reversible and noninvasive treatment. Doctors administer a compound or implant that imitates the actions of a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which is responsible for triggering puberty in the brain. This compound reduces the sensitivity of the pituitary gland to the hormone, essentially putting puberty on hold. Once the treatment is discontinued, puberty resumes as normal.
In the US, some Republican-led states have prohibited gender-affirmative healthcare for young individuals. However, it is important to note that all major medical associations support gender-affirming care for both children and adults. These associations include the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Gender-affirming care may involve the use of puberty blockers, although not all medical associations include this in their treatment plans.
Gender-affirming care is highlighted by the AMA and LGBTQ advocates as a crucial treatment that can save the lives of trans youth. A 2022 survey by the Trevor Project revealed that in the US, transgender and nonbinary youth are twice as likely to have attempted suicide compared to their cisgender peers. The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization specifically for LGBTQ youth.
Editor's P/S:
The decision by England's NHS to stop prescribing puberty blockers for children and young people with gender dysphoria has sparked controversy and raised concerns among LGBTQ advocates. While the NHS cites a lack of evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of these hormones, critics argue that this move further limits access to essential healthcare for transgender youth.
Puberty blockers are reversible treatments that can provide young people with time to consider their future plans and explore their gender identity. By putting puberty on hold, these treatments allow individuals to make informed decisions about their transition and reduce the risk of gender dysphoria and mental health issues. The decision to halt prescriptions may have negative consequences for the well-being of transgender youth, who already face significant barriers in accessing appropriate healthcare. It is crucial that evidence-based and compassionate care remain at the forefront of healthcare decisions affecting the lives of young people.
