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Trans youth will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers, NHS England says (www.thepinknews.com)

submitted 8 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

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Trans youth will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at NHS England gender identity clinics in a new “blow” to gender-affirming healthcare.

Puberty blockers are a type of medicine that prevent puberty from starting by blocking the hormones – like testosterone and oestrogen – that lead to puberty-related changes in the body. In the case of trans youth, this can delay unwanted physical changes like menstruation, breast growth, voice changes or facial hair growth.

On Tuesday (12 March), NHS England confirmed the medicine, which has been described as “life-saving” medical care for trans youth, will only be available to young people as part of clinical research trials.

The government described the move as a “landmark decision”, Sky News reported. It believed such a move is in the “best interests of the child”.

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[-] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 45 points 8 months ago

I dont want to speak to the social aspect of this issue, but I have to imagine that blocking puberty has some crazy side effects. How long has this medical technology been in use and where can I find studies about it? Again, I know this is sensitive and I am just curious from a biological standpoint.

[-] TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 126 points 8 months ago

blocking puberty has some crazy side effects.

I'm a provider at a children's hospital. I specialize in orthopedics and rehabilitation, so I mostly deal with the musculoskeletal system. I have colleagues who would be able to provide a much better and more in depth explanation, but I will do my best.

Even in orthopedics "hormone blockers" are used fairly frequently. For example the same drugs that people use to transition are utilized to moderate the epiphyseal fusion of growth plates. Puberty is also frequently delayed to moderate the hormone levels of juvenile cancer patients. Or even more increasingly common, to halt the symptoms of precocious puberty in young women.

The vast majority of juveniles prescribed hormones to delay puberty are for non gender affirming care like cancer. The problem with moderating what medical providers can and can't treat is that you are assuming you know more about medicine than the a person who went to medical school.

You may be trying to protect kids, but what ends up happening is an interference of medical care, and usually not the type you intended. If hormone drugs become more monitored, providers may be hesitant, or have a more difficult brine prescribing it.

The dangers of delaying puberty are very small, when you stop the prescription puberty begins again. Usually the only side effect is excessive growth due to a delay if epiphyseal fusion. In regards to gender affirming care, I will remind people that their providers are looking at total outcomes. Meaning they are factoring in things like the higher potentiality of self harm and suicide.

[-] TIMMAY@lemmy.world 11 points 8 months ago

Thank you for your reply! This is good information

[-] _edge@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 8 months ago

That's why I browse Lemmy. Thank you.

[+] DarkroomDoc@lemmy.sdf.org -44 points 8 months ago

refers to self as provider

Definitely not a doctor.

[-] TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 16 points 8 months ago

Provider is actually the preferred terminology in most hospitals nowadays. It helps transition away from physicians being the "captain of the ship" to a more team based medical approach.

It also helps boost patient confidence in the entire medical team, especially in places like where I work, where there are a lot of residents and PAs doing the bulk of the patient care.

[+] DarkroomDoc@lemmy.sdf.org -13 points 8 months ago

The AMA literally says the opposite:

https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/a-23-omss-resolution-5.pdf

The only people pushing “provider” are administrators who would prefer to muddy the waters with regards to who providers care, and the midlevels who benefit.

[-] TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 14 points 8 months ago

Lol, Idk. Do people go to medical school for the title, or to actually help people?

I like the team approach, and I think referring to everyone as a provider is especially good for my residents, some of which will occasionally think they know more than a PA-C who's been here for 30 years, just because they don't have an MD after their name.

The only doctors that care about being called doctor are residents who think too highly of themselves, or the dinosaurs who hate patient care and only got into the field for the prestige.

[+] DarkroomDoc@lemmy.sdf.org -8 points 8 months ago

You can feel about it however you’d like, but the term provider was purposely used to justify different care without patients being aware.

It’s not a matter of a 30 year PA vs a resident, experience certainly matters. But I take issue when you claim medical knowledge because you’re a “provider”, and especially because you work in a pediatric hospital. The role of a pediatric endocrinologist and an ortho PA almost don’t overlap, and the background schooling almost don’t either.

That’s not to say I’m particularly qualified either (it’s outside my specialty) but you infer that you’re qualified to comment when you and I both know, frankly, you’re not.

[-] TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 7 points 8 months ago

used to justify different care without patients being aware.

Lol, you really think a PA is going to provide different care than an MD? What, an MD is going to prescribe PT and bracing when a PA is going to ...... chop their leg off?

But I take issue when you claim medical knowledge because you’re a “provider”, and especially because you work in a pediatric hospital.

Did I not predicate my statement with my lack of speciality? What exactly did I say that was false? If you have problems with the information I stated then say so. But, if all you are doing is appealing to an entirely assumed authority, go kick rocks.

The role of a pediatric endocrinologist and an ortho PA almost don’t overlap, and the background schooling almost don’t either.

What? I mean endocrinology doesn't refer the majority of our patients, but it's a significant amount..... Also, the only information I gave over endocrinology, directly pertains to my field.

but you infer that you’re qualified to comment when you and I both know, frankly, you’re not.

Lol, I have no idea how qualified you are, and you have no idea what my qualifications are. However, based on your statement I highly doubt you actually work in patient care. Seems like you're pretending to be a character of a doctor from a 00's medical drama.

[-] mightyfoolish@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

I know therapists and other medical professionals. There is a push to let people see non physicians directly instead of needing a physician to refer you to the person who can obviously help you more.

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this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2024

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