A recent legal case has been filed in Britain against the NHS’ GIDs clinic for over-prescribing and/or unsafely prescribing puberty blockers to adolescents. In addition to this, many states in the US are trying to pass bills to limit or prohibit gender affirming medical care. All of this news can feel stressful and confusing for gender diverse young people and their families. Important key points:
Regarding the potential increased risk in suicide and self harm:
- The study that is referenced in the British case with increased rates of suicidal ideation and self harm is UNPUBLISHED
- “Experts on clinical trials criticised the design of the study,” but do think the data should be explored further
- Other studies have shown improved safety and mental health, including suicidal thoughts:
- Ethical Issues in Gender Affirming Care for Youth
- The Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria Study (1972-2015): Trends in Prevalence, Treatment, and Regrets
- Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation
- Puberty suppression in transgender children and adolescents
- Medical Options for Care of Gender Diverse and Transgender Youth
Regarding concerns around brain and neurologic development being delayed by puberty blocking medications:
- Leuprolide, the most commonly used puberty blocker in the US, has been used in children since the 1980s
- It received FDA approval in 1998
- It is used in much younger children to treat Precocious Puberty for a duration of up to 3-5 years, all data supports the most common side effects in a reaction at the injection site. These children have gone on to develop into healthy adults.
Regarding age of consent to care:
- The standard practice currently in gender affirming care is MORE conservative than in sexual health, reproductive health, mental health, and substance use treatment youth consent practices
- Most providers REQUIRE SIGNED consent from all parties with medical decision making rights prior to any gender affirming care
- The exception being immediate risk to life
- MANY states allow minors to consent to their own sexual, reproductive, and mental health without any parent involvement, unlike gender care which they cannot consent to: https://www.schoolhouseconnection.org/state-laws-on-minor-consent-for-routine-medical-care/
- Most providers REQUIRE SIGNED consent from all parties with medical decision making rights prior to any gender affirming care
Medical Societies that support gender affirming medical care for adolescents include:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- The Endocrine Society
- The Pediatric Endocrine Society
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- American College of Physicians
- American Medical Association
- American Osteopathic Association
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Public Health Association
