UK puberty blockers clinical research and regulation

UK court allows puberty blocker trial for children to proceed

The MHRA suggested a minimum age of 14 for the trial due to safety concerns.

In February 2026, the UK medicines regulator, the MHRA, suggested that trial participants should be at least 14 years old due to safety concerns.

Following discussions with researchers, the MHRA later announced that girls would be permitted to participate in the trial from age 11 and boys from age 12.

Baroness Hilary Cass conducted a review of gender services finding weak evidence for puberty blockers.

In 2024, a review of gender services conducted by Baroness Hilary Cass found that the evidence for treating young people with puberty blockers was 'remarkably weak'.

Following this review, the Pathways trial was commissioned to establish scientific evidence concerning possible health risks and benefits.

The UK government banned the use of puberty blocking drugs in children's gender care.

The UK government implemented a ban on the use of puberty blocking drugs in children’s gender care across the country. While the ban prohibits standard prescriptions, it allows children already receiving the medication to continue their treatment.

Under these regulations, new prescriptions for these drugs can only be provided as part of a controlled clinical trial. These trials are intended to investigate critical factors such as effects on bone density, brain development, fertility, and mental wellbeing.