Two UK clinical trials to assess impact of puberty blockers in young people

Two new UK studies aim to shed light on the impact of puberty blockers on young people's physical and mental health. The research, part of a wider "Pathways" programme, will investigate the effects of these medications on 226 adolescents aged 10-15 who are being treated in specialist NHS children and young people's gender services.

The studies will compare two groups: those who start taking puberty blockers immediately, and those who wait a year before beginning treatment. Participants' health, wellbeing, and development will be closely monitored over the next 24 months to assess their ongoing care needs, which could include remaining on puberty blockers.

However, not everyone is pleased with the trials. Chay Brown, director of TransActual, has raised concerns that the studies are "coercive in nature" and may cause unnecessary distress for participants who wait an extra year before receiving treatment. He argues that the trials prioritize those who have access to puberty blockers over others, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities.

Professor Emily Simonoff, lead investigator of the new studies, acknowledges that new medications often require clinical trials before being widely available. She notes that the most ethical approach would have been to conduct a trial earlier on, but hopes that this research will contribute to a better understanding of puberty blockers' effects and inform more effective treatment options for young people with gender incongruence.

The results of these studies are expected to be published at least four years from now, providing valuable insights into the impact of puberty blockers on the lives of young people in the UK.

omg I cant help but think about all the kids who have been denied access to puberty blockers due to cost or other barriers its like we're leaving them to suffer through a whole decade of dysphoria without any real support. and now these new studies are gonna compare those who get treatment right away with those who wait a year?! that just feels so cruel. I mean, cant they see that delayed treatment is just gonna cause more harm in the long run?

I'm not sure I agree with this study ... it's like they're pitting kids against each other - those who get treated ASAP vs those who have to wait a year . What if that extra year makes all the difference for someone? We need more research, but not at the expense of people's emotional well-being . And what about those who can't access puberty blockers in the first place? It's like saying "if you're lucky enough to get treatment, great, but if not, tough luck" .

just think about it, what if we waited a year before getting help for something that's been bothering us? it's like trying to put out a fire with your hands tied behind your back at least these kids are getting the help they need ASAP

I'm a bit worried about this trial... I mean, I get that we need to know more about puberty blockers and all, but 226 kids? That's a lot of young lives at stake. And what if they're just not ready for treatment yet? Chay Brown makes some valid points about the potential for distress and unequal access to care... The fact that these trials are prioritizing those with NHS access is, like, pretty concerning. We need to make sure we're not leaving anyone behind, you know? It's all well and good that Professor Simonoff wants to contribute to better treatment options, but can't we just start with smaller, more targeted trials instead of putting the whole population through this?

I think it's a bad idea to do this study . The fact that they're dividing the kids into two groups is already pretty unfair - those who get treatment right away and those who have to wait a year? It's like saying, 'you don't really need these meds if you're from the 'right' background'. What about the ones who do need them but can't afford or access the treatment? That's just gonna make things worse. And yeah, Chay Brown is right, it's pretty coercive to say we're gonna monitor their health for 2 years just to see what happens... that's just creepy . Can't they just trust these kids and treat them already?

I'm a bit concerned about this study, you know? Like, what's the point of making one group wait a whole year for treatment just to see how they turn out? It feels like it's gonna cause some unnecessary stress and anxiety for those kids, especially if they're already feeling self-conscious or struggling with their identity. And, I mean, isn't that kinda unfair on the others who don't have access to puberty blockers in the first place?

I just don't get why we gotta put so many young minds through all this stress & uncertainty... I mean, they're already goin' through enough with puberty and stuff, can't we just make sure everyone's got access to proper care? It's like, these kids are tryna figure out who they are, and then we throw 'em into a trial that could potentially hurt 'em. I'm not sayin' it's all bad, but I think we need to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks, y'know?

I'm all about living life mindfully and taking care of ourselves, you know? And it's like, when it comes to these puberty blockers, I think it's super important to consider the long-term effects on our mental health . I mean, we're talking about young people here, just starting out on this journey, and suddenly they're being asked to wait a year or more before getting treatment? It can be really overwhelming, you feel me?

I'm all for doing research and trying to find the best ways to help these kids, but I think we need to make sure that everyone has access to this care, regardless of their background . Chay Brown's concerns about the studies being "coercive in nature" are totally valid, you know? We can't just leave people feeling anxious or uncertain about their treatment options .

I hope these new studies will provide some answers and help us find better ways to support our young friends who are going through this journey . But let's also keep in mind that every person is different, and what works for one person might not work for another .

idk why they gotta wait a whole year before startin treatment this is like, so much more time for anxiety and depression to kick in... we should be helpin these kids ASAP not just some trial to see what happens after a year or so... also, what about the ones who can't even afford the meds? it's like, basic human rights and all that

Ugh, I just don't think it's fair that some people have access to puberty blockers and others don't . Like, why should those who can afford treatment get priority over others? It's not like they're doing anything wrong, you know? And what really gets me is the extra year wait for treatment... imagine having to live with those feelings for that long . Can't we just try to understand each other and provide help when needed? Maybe we can find a way to make these meds more accessible for everyone, regardless of their financial situation .

Just got wind of this new study about puberty blockers and I'm super curious to see what they find out! As someone who's all about trying out new tech (and by that I mean treatments!), I think it's awesome that researchers are taking a closer look at how these meds affect young people. The fact that we're even having this conversation is a huge step forward, right? Of course, there's always gonna be some controversy around sensitive topics like this, but I'm hoping the experts involved can provide some clarity and help us make better decisions for the future. Can't wait to dive into the results when they drop!

I'm not sure why people are so quick to bash this research . I mean, we need to know more about these meds, right? And if it means that some kids have to wait a bit longer to get treatment, I think it's worth it. I've met some trans teens who've had amazing experiences with puberty blockers and it's literally saved their lives . Now, I'm not saying it's all sunshine and rainbows, but we should be focusing on getting more accurate info before judging the whole thing. And let's be real, Chay Brown's concerns are valid, but isn't it better to have some control over the trials rather than just ditching them altogether? The scientists are trying to do what's best for these kids and that's something we should support.

I think it's really concerning that some young people might have to wait a whole year before getting treatment for their gender issues . I mean, can you imagine being that age and feeling like you don't fit into society yet? It's already tough enough dealing with puberty and self-discovery, let alone having to wait even longer for help. And then there are the potential health risks associated with not getting treatment on time... it's just heartbreaking .

I also worry about the disparities in access to these medications – what if some kids can't afford them or don't have access to NHS services? It's like, we're already struggling to provide adequate healthcare for everyone else, so why are we putting extra strain on a vulnerable group? We need to make sure that all young people have equal access to this treatment, no matter their background .

I'm glad the researchers are trying to get more data out there, but let's hope they're also doing everything they can to support these kids in the meantime. Maybe we could look into alternative options or more flexible treatment plans? There has to be a way to make this work better for everyone

I mean, come on, a whole year without treatment? That's just cruel. Like, what's the point of even calling it a study if you're just gonna hold people back that long? I get that we need to know more about these meds, but can't we just do it in a way that doesn't leave kids feeling abandoned or whatever? It's like, they're already stuck with this whole gender stuff, don't make 'em feel like they're failing too. The fact that people are even debating whether the study is "coercive" shows how messed up our society is when it comes to trans rights and mental health...

I'm not sure about this one... Puberty blockers for 10-15 year olds? It's like they're trying to delay adulthood for our own sake . I mean, what's next? Delaying college or adult life altogether? I'm worried that these trials might be creating more anxiety and stress for the kids involved, especially if they have to wait a whole year before getting treatment. And don't even get me started on who gets access to these meds first... like, aren't we trying to address systemic inequalities here? It feels like we're just moving the needle from one group to another, rather than addressing the root issues. I'd love to see more research on this topic, but I'm not convinced that this is the right approach.