Summarised by Centrist
An unpublished US study on puberty blockers and transgender youth, led by Dr Johanna Olson-Kennedy, has proven controversial. Olson-Kennedy began the study in 2015 to assess puberty blockers’ effects on children’s mental health, but now refuses to publish the results.
Olson-Kennedy states the delay stems from concern that the findings could fuel political tensions as youth gender treatments face bans in over 20 US states.
Olson-Kennedy suggests that puberty blockers show no significant mental health improvement because “they’re in really good shape when they come in, and they’re in really good shape after two years.” However, initial data indicating that 25% of participants experienced depression or suicidality seems to contradict this assertion.
Olson-Kennedy, a prominent advocate for these treatments, shared her hesitation to publish, citing the risk of the study being “weaponized” against gender-affirming care. The NIH, which funded the research, denied political interference in its funding cuts.
Other experts, like Dr Hilary Cass from England, talk up the urgency of releasing data to understand whether puberty blockers benefit or harm patients.
Cass’s review of gender treatments in England noted weak evidence for puberty blockers and potential risks, such as bone growth delays and fertility impacts.
England’s NHS has since restricted access to these drugs outside of clinical trials, following cautionary moves in other European nations.
