Puberty blockers: Can a drug trial solve the big debate?

NHS England proposed in June 2023 that puberty blockers would only be prescribed to children questioning their gender as part of clinical research.

Since then, a new government has said he is committed to "setting up a clinical trial" The National Institute for Health and Care Research is expected to confirm soon that funding is in place for a trial.

NHS adult gender services holds data that tracks 9,000 young people from youth service.

Some argue that this should be scrutinised before any trial goes ahead.

But others argue that randomised trials are done in "life-threatening stuff" where no-one can be sure of the long-term effects of a treatment.

Recruitment for the trial is due to start in 2025 , months later than originally anticipated.

A third proposal could involve a second group being given drugs at a later stage in puberty.

This would allow researchers to explore when the right time to give puberty blockers might be.

Many parents are watching closely to see how it will play out.

But inevitably, there will be a long wait to fully understand the longer term effects of those who take puberty blockers.