NHS to Halt Cross-Sex Hormones for Under-18s in Major Policy Shift
The NHS is poised to stop prescribing powerful cross-sex hormones to trans-identifying children under the age of 18, according to a Mail on Sunday exclusive. This significant policy change could be implemented as early as this week, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over transgender healthcare for minors.
Imminent Pause on Hormone Prescriptions
The move involves pausing the prescription of oestrogen and testosterone to 16 and 17-year-olds, with medical experts reportedly firmly supporting the ban for new patients. A brief consultation period is expected before the policy takes effect. This follows the 2024 ban on puberty blockers for younger children, though the NHS had continued to prescribe these hormones to some under-18s despite unclear benefits.
Health Risks and Weak Evidence Cited
An internal NHS document reviewed by the Mail on Sunday highlights serious health concerns associated with these hormones. It acknowledges that injecting oestrogen and testosterone can lead to:
- Blood clots
- Breast cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Impaired sexual function
The document also notes that the long-term effects on teenage brain development remain unknown, and the evidence base supporting the use of these drugs in young people is too weak to justify continuation.
Physical Changes and Permanent Side Effects
Cross-sex hormones induce significant physical alterations. Boys taking oestrogen typically experience smoother skin, thicker hair, softening facial features, and body fat redistribution. Girls on testosterone may develop facial hair, deeper voices, and some face male-pattern baldness. Many of these changes are permanent, especially for girls and young women, with testosterone linked to incontinence and vaginal atrophy—thinning vaginal walls causing bleeding and discomfort.
Other side effects include dyslipidaemia, polycythaemia, hypercalcaemia, and elevated liver enzymes, underscoring the potential harms.
Rising Cases and Campaigner Response
Over the past decade, the number of children identifying as transgender has skyrocketed, a condition known as gender dysphoria, though the NHS does not classify it as a mental illness. Any ban on these hormones will be viewed as a victory for campaigners who argue that the risks outweigh the benefits.
Dr. Alice Hodkinson, a GP from the campaign group Biology in Medicine, stated: This has been a long time coming given the evidence of the harms these hormones cause.
Government Stance and Safety Priority
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson emphasized: We do not comment on leaks. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is paramount, and NHS England follow expert scientific and clinical advice when making decisions relating to clinical policies. This move reflects a cautious approach amid growing scrutiny of transgender healthcare protocols.
