On Wednesday, New Zealand’s health authorities shared that they will cease prescribing new puberty blockers to children identifying as transgender.
Health Minister Simeon Brown indicated that from December 19, doctors will no longer provide sex-affirming hormone treatments (gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs) to minors. This decision stems from the Department of Health’s view that there is insufficient “high-quality evidence of benefit or risk.”
However, current patients will still be able to receive treatments for gender dysphoria and other conditions, such as precocious puberty, endometriosis, and prostate cancer.
Officials noted that the number of individuals using puberty blockers is projected to be 113 this year, a decrease from 140 in 2021.
These hormone blockers potentially halt puberty and are sometimes utilized for children experiencing gender dysphoria.
The decision has faced criticism, with opponents arguing it could significantly affect the mental health of transgender and gender-diverse youth, suggesting that medical decisions should be made by individual practitioners.
Elizabeth McErea, vice president of the Transgender Health Professionals Association Aotearoa, remarked that the ban might lead to deteriorating mental health, increased suicidality, and heightened dysphoria among gender-diverse children and adolescents.
This announcement follows over a year after the National Health Service in England prohibited the use of puberty blockers and similar treatments for individuals under 18 except in critical situations.
In the United States, transgender medical care for minors has been available for over a decade, with endorsement from significant medical organizations.
Meanwhile, several Republican-led states have imposed bans on puberty blockers and other treatments for transgender minors.
