New Zealand health officials announced Wednesday that new prescriptions for puberty blockers will no longer be issued to children identifying as transgender.<\/p>\n
Doctors will stop prescribing the gender-affirming medication \u2014 gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues \u2014 to minors starting Dec. 19, after the health ministry cited a lack of \u201chigh-quality evidence that demonstrates the benefits or risks,\u201d Health Minister Simeon Brown said. <\/p>\n
Existing patients can still access the medication for gender dysphoria or other conditions, such as early-onset puberty, endometriosis, and prostate cancer. <\/p>\n
Doctors will stop prescribing the gender-affirming medication \u2014 gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues \u2014 to minors starting Dec. 19. paul \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
Officials said 113 people were using puberty blockers in 2023 \u2014 down from 140 in 2021. <\/p>\n
Hormone blockers can pause puberty and are occasionally used to treat children with gender dysphoria.<\/p>\n
Critics slammed the decision, warning the ban will severely impact transgender and gender-diverse youth, arguing medical decisions should be left to the individuals doctor.<\/p>\n
Hormone blockers can pause puberty and are occasionally used to treat children with gender dysphoria. Nicky \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ban will lead to worsening mental health, increased suicidality and dysphoria for gender diverse children and young people,\u201d said Elizabeth McElrea, the vice-president of the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa. <\/p>\n
The decision comes more than a year after England\u2019s National Health Service<\/a> banned the use of puberty blockers and other treatments for minors, with medication given to those under 18 in dire circumstances.<\/p>\n Transgender medical care for minors has been available<\/a> in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations.<\/p>\n Existing patients can still access the medication for gender dysphoria or other conditions. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n