Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora is now expecting the evidence brief examining the use of Puberty Blockers to manage gender dysphoria to be ready for publication early next year 2024.
The Ministry previously indicated that the brief was expected to be completed by the end of this year 2023. We appreciate that there are some in the community who will be frustrated by this delay.
This work is looking in detail at the strength of the evidence behind the use of these medicines when used for this purpose.
The Ministry is being careful to take adequate time to provide best quality up to date information and to ensure the findings are well communicated to health professionals treating young people with puberty blockers so that it can be incorporated into pathways for providing gender affirming care.
The publication of this work is intended to support the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines for those who treat young people who experience gender dysphoria.
Puberty blockers continue to be available through prescribing clinicians for those who need them. Decisions on the use of puberty blockers are best made by patients and their families in consultation with appropriate clinicians.
