Official announcements from the UK government or the Health Secretary

UK Health Secretary Announces Indefinite Ban on Puberty Blockers for Gender Dysphoria in Minors

Dec 11, 2024, 05:59 PM

The UK government has announced an indefinite ban on the use of puberty blockers for treating gender dysphoria in individuals under 18 years old. Health Secretary Wes Streeting made the announcement, citing advice from medical experts that the drugs pose an 'unacceptable safety risk' to children. The decision follows an emergency ban and comes after a review led by Dr. Hilary Cass, which criticized the use of puberty blockers due to their unproven benefits and potential for harm. The ban covers the private sale of these drugs, but the National Health Service (NHS) still plans to recruit children for clinical trials starting in Spring 2025. The move has been welcomed by the LGB Alliance for protecting children from unnecessary medicalization, while others express concern over the impact on the mental health of young trans people.