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

UK Announces Two Clinical Trials on Puberty Blockers for Young People with Gender Incongruence

Two new studies are underway in the UK to investigate the impact of puberty blockers, a treatment previously used mainly off-label for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. The trials, part of a larger "Pathways" program, aim to assess the effects of these medications on psychological and physical development among children and adolescents.

The first study, Pathways Trial, will recruit around 226 participants aged between 10-11 (females) and 11-12 (males), but actually older due to rigorous selection. Participants will be randomly assigned to start or delay using puberty blockers for a year, with all receiving comprehensive care and support during the trial period of up to 24 months.

The second study, Pathways Connect, will involve approximately 150 participants in the first trial as well as about 100 young people not receiving puberty blockers. These individuals will undergo MRI brain scans, followed by cognitive tasks and tests, providing a comparison group for analysis.

Experts have expressed concerns over the trials' design, with some labeling it "coercive in nature." Chay Brown, health director at TransActual, warned that this approach would subject young people to distressing pubertal changes while others benefit from delayed treatment. Emily Simonoff, lead investigator of the studies, acknowledged that such trials often precede wider availability of new medications.

The results of these studies will be crucial in shaping future healthcare policies for young people with gender incongruence. With no definitive evidence on long-term effects, researchers and clinicians must rely on observational data to inform their decisions. As the investigation unfolds, experts hope it will contribute meaningfully to understanding the role of puberty blockers in supporting young people's mental and physical health.

I'm low-key worried about these clinical trials . I know some people are struggling with gender dysphoria and need support, but delaying puberty can be a big deal for anyone, regardless of their identity . It's like, what if the trial isn't showing the full picture? What if the meds aren't suitable for everyone? I'm also worried about the "coercive in nature" label – it makes me think some kids might be forced into treatment they're not ready for . But at the same time, I get that we need more research and data to figure out what works best for these young people . Can't wait to see how this all plays out!

This is a really sensitive topic ... I mean, have you heard about these new clinical trials in the UK? They're looking at puberty blockers for kids with gender dysphoria . Some experts are worried that it might be too much for them to handle . But on the other hand, some researchers think it could really help ... I don't know what to think about it . Maybe we need more info before we can make up our minds .

I'm so worried about these trials ... they're gonna give these kids all sorts of meds without fully knowing what the long-term effects are! It's like playing with fire, you know? I mean, I get that they wanna help these kids, but don't they think we should be looking at more natural solutions first? Like therapy or counseling or something? I feel like we're rushing into this without thinking about the bigger picture. And what about all the parents who are gonna be stressed out 'cause their kid's on meds for a year and then... what happens next? It's just too much uncertainty for me

Ugh, just read about these new trials in the UK for puberty blockers ... I mean, I get that they wanna help kids who are struggling with their identities, but I'm low-key worried about these trials. They're basically gonna put 150+ young people through a bunch of tests and treatment while others don't get anything? It sounds kinda coercive to me .

I think the design of these studies is pretty flawed. What if some kids really need those blockers for their mental health, but they can't even get them in this trial? And what about the ones who do get the blockers? Are we just gonna observe them and not actually give 'em the support they need?

We need to make sure that these trials are really helping the kids, not just collecting data for some future policy. I hope the researchers are keeping the kids' well-being in mind as they design these studies

Puberty blockers? Sounds like a game of Risk - you're blocking off an entire phase of life, hoping things work out ! Seriously though, I'm glad we're having these trials to figure out what works best for these kids. It's crazy that there's still no clear answer on long-term effects – it's like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded while eating a bowl of spaghetti

this is so interesting... i mean, i'm all for supporting kids who feel like they don't fit into traditional gender norms, but are we really sure that these puberty blockers are doing more good than harm? i've been following this stuff and it feels like we're just throwing caution to the wind without having a full understanding of what these meds can actually do in the long run... 150+ brain scans? that's a lot for any study, let alone one that's trying to figure out if these meds are 'helping' or 'hurting'. and what about the kids who don't get assigned to the trial? are they really just going to be used as a control group without any real consideration for their own well-being?

I'm so excited about these new trials! It's amazing that the UK is taking steps to help young people with gender incongruence get the care they need . Puberty blockers are such a game-changer for kids who are struggling with their identity, and it's great to see more research being done to understand how they can best support these young people . I totally get why there might be concerns about the trials' design, but I think it's awesome that experts like Chay Brown are speaking out to make sure everyone's voice is heard . Let's keep sending love and positivity to all the amazing trans kids and families out there !

omg this is like something out of a movie like that show "euphoria" where they deal with all these tough issues - I'm glad they're doing these trials tho, we need more info on puberty blockers and how they affect kids the design of the trials might be kinda shady but at least they're getting some answers out of this

I don't trust these trials at all... Like, what's really going on here? They're messing with kids' bodies and minds without fully knowing the long-term effects. It's just a way to get more data for the pharmaceutical companies to make a profit. And "comprehensive care and support" just sounds like code for "we'll try to fix whatever we can, but no promises". I mean, what if these meds have some crazy side effect that nobody thought of?

And don't even get me started on the brain scans and cognitive tasks... That's just invasive. What's next? Mind control experiments? These trials are like a bad dream come true. I just want to know what's really going on before these kids get hurt. Can we trust these researchers?

Ugh, this is so complicated ... I mean, as a kid, you just knew what you were or where you fit in, right? Nowadays, it's like, "Hey, kiddo, you might be, like, non-binary or trans..." What even is that? Back in my day, we didn't have all these options; we just... existed. And puberty was like, "Oh, you're gonna grow up to be a boy or girl now!" No fuss, no muss.

But I guess this Pathways program is trying to help, huh? Two trials, one with blockers and one without. That's like, having two paths in life: the easy one and the hard one . And they're gonna study it all on young people? Like, minors! That's just crazy . I mean, what if these kids are like, "Nah, I don't wanna go through puberty at all!" Or, "Wait, I'm not sure yet?"

I don't know, man... it's all so confusing . But hey, at least they're trying to figure some stuff out . Maybe one day we'll have a better idea of what's going on in that teen brain . Until then, I'm just gonna stick with my old ways : just be yourself, kiddo!

I'm a bit worried about these new trials ... I mean, I get that we need to study the effects of puberty blockers on young people with gender dysphoria, but aren't they already doing pretty well without 'em? It feels like they're kinda pushing them into this treatment just to see how it works . I'm not saying it won't help some kids, but what about those who don't want it or need it?

And what's up with the design of these trials? It seems kinda... coercive . Like, you gotta delay treatment for a year just to see if it's better for them? That can be super distressing for some kids, especially during puberty .

I think we need more research, but let's also consider the impact on our mental health as adults ... I mean, what about long-term effects? We're talking about young people here who might be making life-altering decisions now .

I'm not sure about these new trials in the UK... They seem kinda sketchy. I mean, what if the kids don't want to try this stuff? Don't they have a right to decide for themselves whether or not to go through puberty blockers? It's like, they're being poked and prodded with MRI scans and cognitive tests without even having a say in it. And what about the long-term effects? We've heard that 10-15 years ago... Anyway, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out. Fingers crossed they get it right this time

I'm worried about these trials, you know? They're like trying to sell a car without letting anyone take it for a spin first. The researchers are gonna be analyzing all this data on kids who've already started taking meds, but what if they're messing up their minds and bodies in the process? It's like throwing a bunch of puzzle pieces together without knowing how they fit. I wish they'd do more research to understand how these puberty blockers actually work, instead of just testing them out on vulnerable kids.

omg I'm kinda worried about these trials... my cousin's best friend is a trans girl and she started taking puberty blockers when she was like 12 . She said it really helped her cope with her feelings, but I don't know if it's all good for the kids' bodies long term... I mean, we're talking hormones and changes in brain chemistry here . The fact that experts are calling it "coercive" makes me think there's some legit concern about how these trials are being set up . I guess only time will tell if it's all worth it .

I'm kinda worried about these new trials . I get why they're trying to gather info, but are we really putting kids through this? They're talking about delaying puberty, but what if it's not an option for everyone? What if they can't deal with the changes or feel like a total mess? It sounds like we're treating them like lab rats . And with experts saying it's coercive? That's some scary stuff . We need to make sure these kids have real choices, not just be poked and prodded for years on end.

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on here... these clinical trials are just the tip of the iceberg . Think about it, they're experimenting with puberty blockers on kids without their full consent... what if this is a ploy to control our youth and shape them into conforming citizens? And what's up with the MRI brain scans? Are they trying to manipulate young people's minds or something? It's all about the science, but I'm not buying it. This sounds like some serious Big Brother stuff...

I'm so worried about these kids being put through this. Like, can't we just listen to them and support them in a more holistic way? I mean, two clinical trials on puberty blockers already seems like a lot to me... what if the meds have long-term effects that aren't even thought of yet? And now with MRI brain scans and cognitive tests, it's like they're trying to put their tiny lives under a microscope. Can we just focus on building self-love and acceptance from a young age instead? Maybe invest in mental health programs and resources for parents too?