Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Watchdog Challenges Utah Review on Youth Gender Hormones, Urges Reliance on Federal Analysis

The Do No Harm memo says the state-commissioned report is not a true systematic review.

Overview

  • Do No Harm released a memo contending Utah’s May 2025 review overstates the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors.
  • It alleges methodological flaws including single-reviewer data extraction, narrative rather than quantitative synthesis, and an emphasis on study volume over quality.
  • The memo says the review omitted or downplayed key risks such as infertility, sterility, and sexual dysfunction despite acknowledging infertility as a known risk.
  • It criticizes uncritical reliance on guidance from groups like WPATH and the Endocrine Society and flags advisers with prior writings supportive of gender-affirming care.
  • The group urges legislators to look to the October 2025 HHS review, which judged evidence for pediatric benefits as weak and warned of significant long-term harms as lawmakers weigh Utah’s moratorium.