Archive · 20 Nov 2025
New Zealand Halts New Puberty Blocker Prescriptions for Young Transgender People
New Zealand's government has stopped doctors from prescribing puberty blockers to young people who want to change their gender.
They did this because they don't have enough information about if these medicines are good or bad.
Some people think this will hurt the feelings and health of transgender kids, and others want doctors, kids, and their parents to make these decisions together.
New Zealand government bans new puberty blocker prescriptions for young transgender people
Decision based on lack of high-quality evidence on benefits and risks
Ban starts December 19, but current users and those with other medical needs can continue
Critics argue ban could harm mental health and well-being of transgender youth
Opposition calls for doctor-patient decision-making and support for affected individuals
- Who
- New Zealand government, transgender youth, health ministers Simeon Brown, Elizabeth McElrea, Shanan Halbert
- What
- Banned new puberty blocker prescriptions for young transgender people
- When
- Decision announced on Wednesday, ban starts December 19
- Where
- New Zealand
- Why
- Lack of high-quality evidence on benefits and risks, differing opinions on access and hastiness of treatments
Protecting Youth from Hasty Treatments
Ensuring Access to Essential Care
Evidence Gap
Protecting Youth from Hasty Treatments
Lack of high-quality evidence on benefits and risks
Ensuring Access to Essential Care
Not enough to justify ban
Mental Health Impact
Protecting Youth from Hasty Treatments
Ban could worsen mental health and suicidality
Ensuring Access to Essential Care
Access restriction could also harm mental health
- Drugs Affected
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues
- Current Users
- Still allowed to continue treatment
- Other Medical Needs
- Still allowed, e.g., early onset puberty, endometriosis, prostate cancer
- 2023 Users
- 113 people
- 2021 Users
- 140 people