NHS halts cross sex hormone treatment for under 18s

NHS England has “paused” the prescribing of gender affirming hormones to treat gender incongruence or dysphoria for young people under 18.The health service said that it came to this decision after a review found that the available evidence did not support their use.Previously, the NHS could prescribe oestrogen or testosterone alongside psychological support to young people aged 16 and 17 who had a diagnosis of gender incongruence or gender dysphoria and met various clinical criteria.1Alongside the “pause,” there will be a 90 day public consultation on removing these treatments from the NHS as a routine intervention for young people under 18.Trans advocacy groups criticised the decision, labelling it “cruel,” and some are considering potential legal action.Patients currently receiving masculinising or feminising hormones on the NHS can continue but this will need to be reviewed individually with their clinical team, NHS England said.The hormones can cause irreversible changes in those who…