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”.

  • frezik@midwest.socialEnglish
    4911·
    8 months ago

    GnRH was discovered in 1971, and has been available since the '80s. We have a pretty good idea of their long term effects. There could be more about effects on transgender youth in particular, but everything done so far shows it’s safe.

    • Jax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3016·
      8 months ago

      I’m reading about migraines, joint pain, hot flashes/sweating, decreased libido (which I would expect to take place during treatment) persisting for months after discontinuing use of GnRH. I’m also reading that it can worsen diabetes and osteoporosis?

      Idk, to say that it’s without risk is false I think.

      • Icaria@lemmy.worldEnglish
        243·
        8 months ago

        Do yourself a favour and don’t read the possible side effects on the back of the box of paracetamol you bought from the supermarket.

      • AurelianEnglish
        112·
        8 months ago

        How many of these side effects could just be the result of starting puberty after stopping the medication?

        • Jax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          63·
          8 months ago

          I genuinely don’t know, but is osteoporosis common as a result of puberty?

          Edit:

          later puberty was linked to lower bone mineral density, and that both are risk factors for osteoporosis

          • AurelianEnglish
            113·
            8 months ago

            Also a risk when taking birth control, the question is how severe and can you recover after completing puberty.

            • Jax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              212·
              8 months ago

              Idk how I feel about kids taking birth control either, is that a normal thing??

                • JasonDJ@lemmy.zipEnglish
                  102·
                  8 months ago

                  Wait you mean they have to start taking hormonal birth control before they start having sex?

                  Next you’re going to tell me they should get the HPV vaccine before they start having sex too!

                • Jax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  1·
                  8 months ago

                  I mean I don’t, but more because I don’t like the thought of kids having sex.

                  • dana@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    3·
                    8 months ago

                    You can’t stop people from having sex, so it’s best to give them the education and healthcare necessary to reduce risks.

              • AurelianEnglish
                8·
                8 months ago

                Ah I was referring to it as a side effect of birth control in adults. But birth control for ones that have gone through puberty is definitely better than the possibly deadly side effects of child birth and pregnancy.