Baroness Hilary Cass claims puberty blockers fail to improve body image and mood

In the UK, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for children under 18 diagnosed with gender dysphoria. This decision came after the findings of Baroness Hilary Cass, who conducted a comprehensive review of gender identity services for children and young people. She highlighted that there is insufficient evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of puberty blockers, noting that some claims related to the need for these treatments—particularly that not receiving them could result in death—are overstated and not grounded in medical fact. The ban has been met with significant backlash from a number of Labour MPs and Green MPs, who argue that this policy constitutes a discriminatory action against transgender children and infringes upon their human rights. Critics warn that this measure could potentially harm children's mental health, despite research indicating that the use of puberty blockers has not demonstrably improved mental health outcomes for affected youths. The Commission on Human Medicines, which advised the government to impose this ban, raised concerns over an unacceptable safety risk associated with the prescription of these medications to minors. In response to public concerns, the government has promised to establish new gender identity services and intends to conduct a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers to generate a more clearly defined evidence base for their use in treating gender dysphoria among children. With the current approach to children's healthcare needing to be evidence-led, the permanent restrictions placed on these medications reflect ongoing debates about best practices in supporting young persons with gender dysphoria and their well-being.