Puberty blockers: what are they and what are the concerns about them?

As NHS England prepares to end routine provision for children with gender dysphoria, here’s all you need to know about them

Children with gender dysphoria will no longer receive puberty suppressing hormones, also known as puberty blockers, as routine practice after an NHS England review concluded there was insufficient evidence for their safety and effectiveness.

Under the new policy, the hormones will be only available for children with gender dysphoria through clinical trials intended to fill gaps in medical knowledge, though provision is expected to be made in exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Treatment for young people already receiving the hormones will not be affected.