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”.

  • Aurelian@lemmy.mlEnglish
    122·
    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

      • Aurelian@lemmy.mlEnglish
        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
          213·
          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
                2·
                8 months ago

                My point is moreso that kids shouldn’t be having sex, but sure yeah. Read into it guys.

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

                    …

                    So you’re either suggesting that 12 year olds should be fucking high schoolers, or you’re just too dumb to think about what you said.

                    I’ll give you a few minutes.

            • 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.

                • Jax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  11·
                  8 months ago

                  I don’t disagree with that. The idea of high schoolers fucking 12 year olds will never sit well with me but sure, it’s probably best they don’t get pregnant as a result of it.

          • Aurelian@lemmy.mlEnglish
            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.