We Told You
The Unfolding Puberty Blockers Scandal
In February the British Medical Journal reported on the findings of the Tavistock’s puberty blockers trial. It found that the drugs did not alleviate the negative thoughts of children with dysphoria and issued warnings over their potential side effects.
“Puberty blockers used to treat children aged 12 to 15 who have severe and persistent gender dysphoria had no significant effect on their psychological function, thoughts of self-harm, or body image... However, as expected, the children experienced reduced growth in height and bone strength by the time they finished their treatment at age 16.”
NICE, The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, has now carried out its own independent assessment and concluded that the standard of evidence to support prescribing puberty blockers to children is ‘very low’.
It described previous studies as “Subject to bias and confounding” and highlighted a number of issues:
The numbers of subjects involved were too small.
There were no control groups with which to directly compare the effect of different treatments.
There was no information on the other physical and mental health problems a young person may have alongside their gender dysphoria.
There is a potential bias of results due to insufficient data on additional interventions (eg counselling).
NICE also reviewed the evidence base for using cross-sex hormones which can be prescribed to patients from the age of sixteen. The evidence of their clinical effectiveness and safety was also of "very low" quality.
"Any potential benefits of gender-affirming hormones must be weighed against the largely unknown long-term safety profile of these treatments in children and adolescents with gender dysphoria."
In response to the research published by the BMJ and NICE, The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, which advises the NHS, has been asked to conduct a review into the use of puberty blockers amid concern that they are being prescribed to very young children.
You may remember that we reported on the ideological capture of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde last August. In December we reported that its Sandyford Sexual Health Clinic, the only gender service for children and young people in Scotland, continues to prescribe puberty blockers to minors even despite the landmark ruling in the Keira Bell case.
The clinic did not seem to share the concerns of the three High Court judges regarding the untested and experimental nature of puberty blockers and the lack of any robust evidence as to their efficacy.
The Sandyford may need to rethink its position if the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network goes ahead.
The two fearless journalists, Hannah Barnes and Deborah Cohen, who have been covering the treatment of dysphoric children and use of puberty blockers have faced abuse and insults for simply doing their jobs and reporting the facts.
If your movement tries to ignore or cover up evidence relating directly to the safeguarding and health of children and abuses those reporting on it, it’s unlikely you’re on the side of the angels.
It’s heartbreaking to think of the untold damage already done to vulnerable children because of these drugs. I hope moving forward children can be helped to feel
at peace with their bodies with appropriate care and support
Well done Hannah Barnes & Deborah Cohen, do not be dissuaded from your brave investigative journalism by an attempted smear campaign from those who try to deny science. They evidently couldn't care less about the potential for child abuse. If the NHS has been penetrated (I use the word deliberately) by gender ideology loonies, how long before they try and infiltrate NICE?