Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This literature review summarises the latest national and international evidence of the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers on adolescents. It is accompanied by the Ministry’s position statement which sets out next steps to ensure young people with gender incongruence and gender dysphoria have access to quality care.
In 2023, the Ministry of Health undertook an extensive review of the evidence of the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers for adolescents with gender dysphoria.
The evidence brief represents detailed assessment of the evidence. It found limitations in the quality of evidence for both the benefits and risks (or lack thereof) of the use of puberty blockers.
Health agencies are now working to develop an appropriate response for the New Zealand context. This includes strengthening the evidence base and developing updated guidelines for clinicians.
The Ministry has developed an accompanying position statement which sets out the next steps in more detail.
This is an evolving area of research, and the Ministry will continue to monitor the evidence as it develops.
