UK Permanently Bans Puberty Blockers for Minors Over Safety Concerns

The decision follows expert reviews highlighting insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy for the treatment of gender dysphoria in children.

The UK government has made permanent its ban on prescribing puberty blockers to minors, citing unacceptable safety risks identified by the Commission on Human Medicines.
The decision builds on findings from the Cass Review, which criticized the weak evidence supporting the use of puberty blockers and highlighted their potential risks, including compromised bone density and psychosexual development.
The ban applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with puberty blockers now available only through NHS-approved clinical trials starting in 2025.
Critics, including trans advocacy groups, argue the ban lacks sufficient evidence of harm and may force families to seek treatment abroad in countries like France, where such treatments remain available.
The UK joins other European nations in reevaluating gender-affirming care for minors, contrasting with ongoing debates and legal battles over similar bans in the United States.