🧵Big fat thread on the countries* changing course on 'puberty blockers' (i.e. drugging kids out of puberty) or raising the alarm:
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇨🇦 Canada
🇩🇰 Denmark
🇫🇮 Finland
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
🇮🇹 Italy
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇳🇴 Norway
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇺🇸 United States
Hope it's useful! Please bookmark for future reference and add any info you have on other countries 🙏😀
Ok, let's gooooo!
*This can refer to national government, local government, national health authorities, independent health bodies and / or medical practitioners
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇨🇦 Canada
🇩🇰 Denmark
🇫🇮 Finland
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
🇮🇹 Italy
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇳🇴 Norway
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇺🇸 United States
Hope it's useful! Please bookmark for future reference and add any info you have on other countries 🙏😀
Ok, let's gooooo!
*This can refer to national government, local government, national health authorities, independent health bodies and / or medical practitioners
2 / 🇧🇪 BELGIUM
2024
A report by paediatricians and psychiatrists calls for the reform of ‘gender care’ for children and adolescents following a 60% rise in Belgian teenagers being prescribed PBs.
archive.ph/h0PEt
2024
A report by paediatricians and psychiatrists calls for the reform of ‘gender care’ for children and adolescents following a 60% rise in Belgian teenagers being prescribed PBs.
archive.ph/h0PEt
3 / 🇨🇦 CANADA
2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith introduced Bill 26 that will ban the prescribing of PBs to those under 16 (unless they're already on them). The bill has passed its third and final reading and will take effect once its been signed into law (probably in the next few months). Two 'LGBTQ+' orgs are challenging the law in court.
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…
ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/20….
cbc.ca/news/canada/ne…
2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith introduced Bill 26 that will ban the prescribing of PBs to those under 16 (unless they're already on them). The bill has passed its third and final reading and will take effect once its been signed into law (probably in the next few months). Two 'LGBTQ+' orgs are challenging the law in court.
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…
ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/20….
cbc.ca/news/canada/ne…
4 / 🇩🇰 DENMARK
2022
Denmark dramatically shifts from prescribing PBs to therapeutic counselling after the clinicians assessing youth and approving them for medical interventions began to acknowledge the lack of sufficient evidence, the unexplained rise in girls presenting with late-onset gender dysphoria, and the high rate of psychiatric co-morbidities. The influence of social factors in youth presenting with gender dysphoria is also acknowledged.
segm.org/Denmark-sharpl…
2024
New guidelines being finalised will limit the prescribing of PBs to adolescents who have had gender dysphoria since early childhood.
archive.ph/cDNlW
2022
Denmark dramatically shifts from prescribing PBs to therapeutic counselling after the clinicians assessing youth and approving them for medical interventions began to acknowledge the lack of sufficient evidence, the unexplained rise in girls presenting with late-onset gender dysphoria, and the high rate of psychiatric co-morbidities. The influence of social factors in youth presenting with gender dysphoria is also acknowledged.
segm.org/Denmark-sharpl…
2024
New guidelines being finalised will limit the prescribing of PBs to adolescents who have had gender dysphoria since early childhood.
archive.ph/cDNlW
5 / 🇫🇮 FINLAND
2015
The Finnish national gender clinic for children and adolescents publishes research raising concerns about the overrepresentation of girls and prevalence of autism and severe psychopathology
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC43…
2016
Finland changes its protocol for adolescent gender services – patients dealing with more urgent psychiatric issues are to be treated for these first before being assessed for ‘gender identity’ issues
thefp.com/p/gender-affir…
2018
The Finish Health Authority (Palko / COHERE) commissions a systemic evidence review into medical youth transition
thefp.com/p/gender-affir…
2020
The Finish Health Authority (Palko / COHERE) issues new guidelines stating psychotherapy should be the first-line treatment, not PBs, after its systemic evidence review finds
- inconclusive evidence for their use
- that most pro-PB studies are biased and unreliable
- that the use of PBs for gender dysphoria is essentially ‘experimental’
The guidelines urge caution and limiting PBs to those with early-childhood onset gender dysphoria and no co-occurring mental health conditions. The guidelines raise the concern that puberty blockers may negatively impact brain maturity
segm.org/sites/default/…
segm.org/Finland_deviat…
2023
Article by Riittakerttu Kaltiala who founded the Finish version of 'Tavistock GIDS' on why they changed course
thefp.com/p/gender-affir…
2015
The Finnish national gender clinic for children and adolescents publishes research raising concerns about the overrepresentation of girls and prevalence of autism and severe psychopathology
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC43…
2016
Finland changes its protocol for adolescent gender services – patients dealing with more urgent psychiatric issues are to be treated for these first before being assessed for ‘gender identity’ issues
thefp.com/p/gender-affir…
2018
The Finish Health Authority (Palko / COHERE) commissions a systemic evidence review into medical youth transition
thefp.com/p/gender-affir…
2020
The Finish Health Authority (Palko / COHERE) issues new guidelines stating psychotherapy should be the first-line treatment, not PBs, after its systemic evidence review finds
- inconclusive evidence for their use
- that most pro-PB studies are biased and unreliable
- that the use of PBs for gender dysphoria is essentially ‘experimental’
The guidelines urge caution and limiting PBs to those with early-childhood onset gender dysphoria and no co-occurring mental health conditions. The guidelines raise the concern that puberty blockers may negatively impact brain maturity
segm.org/sites/default/…
segm.org/Finland_deviat…
2023
Article by Riittakerttu Kaltiala who founded the Finish version of 'Tavistock GIDS' on why they changed course
thefp.com/p/gender-affir…
6 / 🇫🇷 FRANCE
2020
France’s National Academy of Medicine urges “the greatest caution” when administering PBs for gender dysphoria and highlights the influence of social factors in the rise of minors presenting with gender dysphoria
segm.org/France-caution…
2020
France’s National Academy of Medicine urges “the greatest caution” when administering PBs for gender dysphoria and highlights the influence of social factors in the rise of minors presenting with gender dysphoria
segm.org/France-caution…
7 / 🇩🇪GERMANY
2024
The Bundesärztekammer (250 delegates from 17 different German medical associations), passed a resolution to restrict PBs to controlled clinical trials, noting the lack of evidence and the lifelong consequences of youth medical transitioning. This is an independent body and its resolutions do not have binding authority
segm.org/German-resolut…
2024
The Bundesärztekammer (250 delegates from 17 different German medical associations), passed a resolution to restrict PBs to controlled clinical trials, noting the lack of evidence and the lifelong consequences of youth medical transitioning. This is an independent body and its resolutions do not have binding authority
segm.org/German-resolut…
8 / 🇮🇹 ITALY
2024
The primary youth gender clinic at Careggi University Hospital comes under scrutiny after a senior medical official tells a newspaper that therapy should not be a requirement for being prescribed PBs (which goes against national guidelines). The Health Ministry launches a probe into the clinic, which found data reporting to be weak and psychiatric assistance lax 🚨In some cases, children were prescribed PBs without having been assessed by a national health neuropsychiatrist!
A government-appointed committee is currently reviewing treatment guidelines for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria.
archive.ph/0Gz94
2024
The primary youth gender clinic at Careggi University Hospital comes under scrutiny after a senior medical official tells a newspaper that therapy should not be a requirement for being prescribed PBs (which goes against national guidelines). The Health Ministry launches a probe into the clinic, which found data reporting to be weak and psychiatric assistance lax 🚨In some cases, children were prescribed PBs without having been assessed by a national health neuropsychiatrist!
A government-appointed committee is currently reviewing treatment guidelines for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria.
archive.ph/0Gz94
9 / 🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS
The place that invented the idea of drugging sex-distressed kids out of puberty, and my home country... I'm so ashamed of it 😩
Mixed bag: the centre that pioneered The Dutch Protocol digs its heels in after The Cass Review but parliament wants answers...
2024
The Dutch parliament passes a motion for the government to conduct research into the physical and mental health outcomes of PBs
archive.ph/ZYMuT
2024
The UMC in Amsterdam publishes a statement in response to the final Cass Review Report, disagreeing with the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence 🤦♂️ and questioning the ethics of a clinical trial (as this would deny PBs to those who are not part of a trial... 🥴)
archive.ph/z6l64
The place that invented the idea of drugging sex-distressed kids out of puberty, and my home country... I'm so ashamed of it 😩
Mixed bag: the centre that pioneered The Dutch Protocol digs its heels in after The Cass Review but parliament wants answers...
2024
The Dutch parliament passes a motion for the government to conduct research into the physical and mental health outcomes of PBs
archive.ph/ZYMuT
2024
The UMC in Amsterdam publishes a statement in response to the final Cass Review Report, disagreeing with the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence 🤦♂️ and questioning the ethics of a clinical trial (as this would deny PBs to those who are not part of a trial... 🥴)
archive.ph/z6l64
10 / 🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand prescribes PBs up to 7 times more than countries such as The Netherlands and the UK due to easier access to the drugs and a lower threshold for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria
nzherald.co.nz/nz/puberty-blo…
2022
The Ministry of Health removes text from its website that states “puberty blockers are safe and fully reversible,” following research into the clinical effects of PBs on adolescents in other countries
health.govt.nz/system/files/2…
2024
The Ministry of Health releases its evidence brief on PBs, following a literature review that included the Cass Report. It concludes there was poor evidence for the benefits and urged a more cautionary approach with holistic care as a starting point. Health agencies will now develop updated guidelines for clinicians and are tasked with finding ways to strengthen the evidence base. A targeted consultation will be conducted on introducing tighter controls.
rnz.co.nz/news/national/…
New Zealand prescribes PBs up to 7 times more than countries such as The Netherlands and the UK due to easier access to the drugs and a lower threshold for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria
nzherald.co.nz/nz/puberty-blo…
2022
The Ministry of Health removes text from its website that states “puberty blockers are safe and fully reversible,” following research into the clinical effects of PBs on adolescents in other countries
health.govt.nz/system/files/2…
2024
The Ministry of Health releases its evidence brief on PBs, following a literature review that included the Cass Report. It concludes there was poor evidence for the benefits and urged a more cautionary approach with holistic care as a starting point. Health agencies will now develop updated guidelines for clinicians and are tasked with finding ways to strengthen the evidence base. A targeted consultation will be conducted on introducing tighter controls.
rnz.co.nz/news/national/…
11 / 🇳🇴 NORWAY
2023
The Healthcare Investigation Board (UKOM) publishes a report recommending that national guidelines on the use of PBs be revised to reflect the lack of sufficient medical evidence, and recommends their use for clinical trial settings only. It suggests they needs to be acknowledged as an ‘experimental’ intervention
bmj.com/content/bmj/38…
yahoo.com/news/norwegian…
2023
Regional health authorities designate PBs as ‘treatment under trial’ – meaning they can only be prescribed as part of clinical trials
archive.ph/cDNlW
2023
The Healthcare Investigation Board (UKOM) publishes a report recommending that national guidelines on the use of PBs be revised to reflect the lack of sufficient medical evidence, and recommends their use for clinical trial settings only. It suggests they needs to be acknowledged as an ‘experimental’ intervention
bmj.com/content/bmj/38…
yahoo.com/news/norwegian…
2023
Regional health authorities designate PBs as ‘treatment under trial’ – meaning they can only be prescribed as part of clinical trials
archive.ph/cDNlW
12 / 🇬🇧 TERF ISLAND!!! ✊
OK, United Kingdom - where the push back initially began as early as 2004 because of @sueevansprotect and then @Transgendertrd 👏👏👏
So many others have been involved since and made a difference (that would be a whole other thread!). Here are some key milestones from the last 4 years:
2020
NHS England revises its online guidance for PBs, removing the text “The effects of treatment with GnRH analogues are considered to be fully reversible,” and replaces it with “Little is known about the long-term side-effects of puberty blockers in children…” and “It is not known what the psychological effects might be”
2020
NHS England suspends the prescribing of PBs for new patients following the Bell V Tavistock judgement that focused on whether minors were able to consent to treatment
2022
NHS England announces it will close Tavistock GIDS following its ‘inadequate’ rating by the Quality Care Commission, as well as the findings from the Cass Review Interim Report that deemed the service ‘unsafe’. NHS England is planning to open regional centres offering ‘holistic’ care
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-623356…
2023
NHS England announces that PBs will only be made available in a clinical trial setting
bbc.co.uk/news/health-66…
2024
Following a consultation, NHS England issues its new policy on PBs, restricting their use to clinical trials
The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), an independent expert body which advises ministers on the safety and efficacy of medicines, advises that the current prescribing environment is unsafe
Following the publication of the final Cass Review Report, NHS England stops the routine prescribing of PBs. NHS Scotland follows suit.
bbc.co.uk/news/health-68…
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla…
The Tavistock GIDS clinic closes. Two new regional hubs open, with 4 more in the planning.
The Conservative Government temporarily bans private prescribing of PBs. The new Labour government extends this ban twice before making it permanent, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting describing the previous approach to prescribing PBs as a “scandal”
x.com/SexMattersOrg/…
OK, United Kingdom - where the push back initially began as early as 2004 because of @sueevansprotect and then @Transgendertrd 👏👏👏
So many others have been involved since and made a difference (that would be a whole other thread!). Here are some key milestones from the last 4 years:
2020
NHS England revises its online guidance for PBs, removing the text “The effects of treatment with GnRH analogues are considered to be fully reversible,” and replaces it with “Little is known about the long-term side-effects of puberty blockers in children…” and “It is not known what the psychological effects might be”
2020
NHS England suspends the prescribing of PBs for new patients following the Bell V Tavistock judgement that focused on whether minors were able to consent to treatment
2022
NHS England announces it will close Tavistock GIDS following its ‘inadequate’ rating by the Quality Care Commission, as well as the findings from the Cass Review Interim Report that deemed the service ‘unsafe’. NHS England is planning to open regional centres offering ‘holistic’ care
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-623356…
2023
NHS England announces that PBs will only be made available in a clinical trial setting
bbc.co.uk/news/health-66…
2024
Following a consultation, NHS England issues its new policy on PBs, restricting their use to clinical trials
The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), an independent expert body which advises ministers on the safety and efficacy of medicines, advises that the current prescribing environment is unsafe
Following the publication of the final Cass Review Report, NHS England stops the routine prescribing of PBs. NHS Scotland follows suit.
bbc.co.uk/news/health-68…
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla…
The Tavistock GIDS clinic closes. Two new regional hubs open, with 4 more in the planning.
The Conservative Government temporarily bans private prescribing of PBs. The new Labour government extends this ban twice before making it permanent, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting describing the previous approach to prescribing PBs as a “scandal”
x.com/SexMattersOrg/…
13 / 🇸🇪 SWEDEN
2021
The Karolinska Institutet stops the use of PBs unless there is a specific clinical justification. Therapy and psychiatric treatment are the first port of call. The decision is based on a systemic evidence review by the Swedish SBU, a systemic evidence review by NICE (UK) and the Bell V Tavistock judicial review (UK, 2020)
segm.org/Sweden_ends_us….
2022
The Swedish National Board of Health & Welfare (part of the ministry of health) issues a national policy update mirroring that of the Karolinska Institutet
segm.org/segm-summary-s….
2021
The Karolinska Institutet stops the use of PBs unless there is a specific clinical justification. Therapy and psychiatric treatment are the first port of call. The decision is based on a systemic evidence review by the Swedish SBU, a systemic evidence review by NICE (UK) and the Bell V Tavistock judicial review (UK, 2020)
segm.org/Sweden_ends_us….
2022
The Swedish National Board of Health & Welfare (part of the ministry of health) issues a national policy update mirroring that of the Karolinska Institutet
segm.org/segm-summary-s….
14 / 🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
The place where drugging kids out of puberty truly went nuts (thanks Norman Spack) and institutional capture is running riot. Still, at least 26 states have now introduced bans or restrictions on PBs so the US would need its own thread.
usnews.com/news/best-stat…
2025 is going to be a big year in the States as Trump becomes President again, having vowed to "protect children from gender insanity" and stop the "chemical, physical, and emotional mutilation of our youth"
donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/presi…
We'll also be getting the judgement from the Supreme Court in United States V Skrmetti, a landmark hearing on whether the state of Tenessee's 2023 ban on PBs constitutes 'sex discrimination' or not.
segm.org/A_big_transgen…
The place where drugging kids out of puberty truly went nuts (thanks Norman Spack) and institutional capture is running riot. Still, at least 26 states have now introduced bans or restrictions on PBs so the US would need its own thread.
usnews.com/news/best-stat…
2025 is going to be a big year in the States as Trump becomes President again, having vowed to "protect children from gender insanity" and stop the "chemical, physical, and emotional mutilation of our youth"
donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/presi…
We'll also be getting the judgement from the Supreme Court in United States V Skrmetti, a landmark hearing on whether the state of Tenessee's 2023 ban on PBs constitutes 'sex discrimination' or not.
segm.org/A_big_transgen…
15 / So there you go! If you ever wonder "So which countries have actually banned / restricted blockers?" I hope this answers that question 😉
Please add any additional info you may have 😀
And what do you make of all of this - do you feel the tide is turning? Could even Tranada see sense? Will Australia start taking notice? Can a clinical trial in the UK ever be ethical? Do you think those with pharmaceutical interests will abandon PBs as an income stream?
And most importantly... how can we convince parents of kids already on these drugs to stop?
We're a long way from being out of the woods... but seem to be moving to a clearing in at least some countries
Please add any additional info you may have 😀
And what do you make of all of this - do you feel the tide is turning? Could even Tranada see sense? Will Australia start taking notice? Can a clinical trial in the UK ever be ethical? Do you think those with pharmaceutical interests will abandon PBs as an income stream?
And most importantly... how can we convince parents of kids already on these drugs to stop?
We're a long way from being out of the woods... but seem to be moving to a clearing in at least some countries
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