UK Pauses Puberty Blockers for Minors Amid Concerns Over Safety and Efficacy

Recent reviews question the safety and long-term effects of puberty blockers prescribed to gender-questioning minors, leading to a halt in their use across the UK.

Landmark Cass review in England exposes significant flaws in the medical treatment of gender-questioning children, highlighting weak evidence supporting the use of puberty blockers.
Scotland follows England in pausing the prescription of puberty blockers to minors, amid broader scrutiny of gender identity services.
Advocates and critics sharply divided on the implications of the review, with some seeing it as a necessary step to protect children, while others view it as a setback for transgender rights.
The review calls for more rigorous research into the long-term outcomes of puberty blockers and a more holistic approach to treating gender dysphoria.
Concerns raised about the potential misdiagnosis of other conditions, such as autism, in gender-questioning children due to diagnostic overshadowing.