The science is clear, puberty blockers help trans kids. Yet politicians continue to ban them
The scientific evidence is mounting, the doubts are diminishing - and yet a bitter political and cultural war continues to rage around gender-affirming care for trans young people. A new study to appear in the February issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Paediatrics makes another powerful argument: trans adolescents are significantly less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts after starting expert-recommended treatment.
In other words, care that respects their gender identity has been shown to help them live better lives. And in some cases, it literally saves their lives.
What exactly did the study look at
The research was a collaboration of pediatricians from Nevada, Texas, and Missouri and worked with data from 432 trans and gender-diverse patients between the ages of 12 and 20. Experts compared their mental health before starting treatment - that is, puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - and at least a year after starting it.
They used the internationally recognized screening tool Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) to assess suicidal tendencies. The result was clear: there was a significant improvement in psychological status across all domains assessed after starting treatment.
Less anxiety, less depression, fewer suicidal thoughts
Suicidal tendencies decreased significantly over time for study participants - and continued to decline with continued care. Crucially, the positive effect was consistent regardless of age, gender identity or length of treatment.
This refutes the common argument by opponents that the effectiveness of gender affirmative care declines with age or that "waiting" is a safer option. Instead, the data show that respectful health care has stable benefits for the mental health of young trans people across age groups.
The study authors also recommend further research with larger patient numbers and longer follow-up periods. Not because the results are uncertain, but because their consistency deserves long-term confirmation.
When science meets politics
The new study fits into a bigger picture that has been emerging for several years. Research from 2024 has repeatedly shown that regret over gender-affirmative treatment is extremely low. One found that 97 per cent of trans people under 18 were very satisfied with the results of treatment. Another reported regret in only two of 548 patients.
Yet this particular form of care faces bans in many countries. In the United States today, 27 states restrict gender-affirming health care at least in part, preventing an estimated 40 percent of American trans youth from accessing treatment. In the United Kingdom, puberty blockers for trans youth are banned altogether - even though the same drugs remain available to cisgender patients.
The bans have specific consequences
The Trevor Project, an organisation with a long-standing commitment to suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ young people, warns that these bans have "detrimental effects" on the mental health of trans youth. They already face a significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts than their cisgender peers.
Similar conclusions are drawn from research by Dr Natacha Kennedy of the University of London, who looked at the impact of the UK's ban on puberty blockers introduced by minister Wes Streeting. The study describes the stories of families whose children were previously described as happy and well-functioning, but developed self-harm and serious mental health problems after losing access to care.
The data speaks, the controversy continues
The totality of the available research paints a fairly clear picture: gender affirming care significantly improves the mental health of trans youth and reduces the risk of suicidal behavior. Yet it remains the target of political attacks, bans and misinformation.
Yet the disconnect between what medicine says and what happens in legislation has very concrete consequences. It is not an abstract cultural dispute, but the everyday reality of young people whose psychological well-being and safety are directly dependent on the availability of professional and respectful care.
