The NICE [National Institute of Health and Care Excellence], a British health body that evaluates excellence in treatment and patient care, has stated after research that current studies provide a «very low» level of evidence to support of hormonal blockade in minors with gender dysphoria. Such studies, they say, are small and «subject to bias and confusion,» according to the BBC.
In relation to body image and social impact, the results are «of very low certainty», since the studies that justify hormonal blocks in adolescents have «a questionable clinical value or are not reliable».
According to Michael Cooke in BioEdge, another study compares the efficacy of hormonal blockade compared to approaches based on psychological support or non-intervention. The result is «shockingly negative», despite pressure from transgender activists.
The purpose of hormonal blockers is to induce during the development of the minor physical sexual characteristics congruent with the perceived gender, that is, different from those of their biological sex. The goal is to improve the mental health and quality of life of the patient.
Well, the NICE considers that the certainty of this beneficial impact of the hormonal blockade on gender dysphoria, in terms of depression, anxiety or tendency to suicide or self-injury is «very low».
What is the reason for the low quality of these studies favorable to the hormonal block?
According to NICE, these are poorly done jobs: “All of them are observational studies without a control group, subject to bias and confusion. They have a relatively short follow-up. Many of them do not report comorbidity (physical or mental health). Most are poorly presented and use a confusing variety of measurement tools and methods, «says Cooke.
The study concludes that «any potential benefits of [perceived] gender-affirming hormones must be weighed against the long-term safety profile of these treatments in children and adolescents with gender dysphoria, a profile that is largely unknown.»
