The United Kingdom has become the latest country to restrict puberty blockers for transgender and gender-questioning youth under 18, extending an earlier temporary ban. These treatments, designed to delay the physical changes of puberty such as breast development, body hair growth, and deeper voices, will no longer be accessible to minors in the UK.
Initially developed for children experiencing precocious puberty—when puberty begins unusually early—puberty blockers have also been used to give gender-questioning youth more time to explore their identity. In some cases, adolescents may later pursue hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries as they grow older.
The UK’s decision reflects a broader European trend, where nations like Sweden, Denmark, and France have also tightened restrictions, citing concerns over the limited evidence of the benefits and long-term risks of puberty blockers. Denmark and Finland, for instance, have shifted focus toward counseling and support services rather than medical interventions for young people with gender dysphoria.
In Denmark, referrals to the country’s sole adolescent gender clinic rose sharply, tripling from 97 in 2016 to 352 in 2022. However, the proportion of patients offered hormone treatments dropped significantly—from 67% in 2016 to just 10% in 2022, according to data from Copenhagen’s health authority.
Similarly, Finland allows hormonal treatments only in cases where gender dysphoria is severe and the adolescent’s gender identity is deemed permanent.
Sweden’s health authorities, in 2022, determined that the risks of puberty blockers likely outweigh the benefits, permitting their use only in “exceptional” circumstances. France, while allowing puberty blockers with parental consent, has urged caution due to potential long-term side effects, such as fertility issues and osteoporosis.
Norway has restricted the use of puberty blockers to clinical trials, while Spain and the Netherlands continue to provide access through specialized care. Elsewhere, debates over how to care for gender-diverse youth remain active, including in Belgium and Italy.
While some European countries focus on research and cautious use of puberty blockers, others are enacting broader restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare, often as part of wider measures against LGBTQ rights. For instance, Georgia’s parliament recently banned all trans-specific healthcare, framing the decision as an effort to uphold family values.
