Florida Bans Puberty Blockers and ‘Reassignment’ Surgery for Children and Teenagers

To stop providers from giving children and teenagers who claim to be “transgender” hormone-blocking drugs or performing “reassignment” surgery, the Florida Department of Health has issued guidance on gender dysphoria.

In the guidelines, Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo directly challenged the U.S. Department of Health’s fact sheet on “gender-affirming” care for children who pretend to be the opposite sex. From Florida’s guidelines sheet (PDF)

Systematic reviews on hormonal treatment for young people show a trend of low-quality evidence, small sample sizes, and medium to high risk of bias. A paper published in the International Review of Psychiatry states that 80% of those seeking clinical care will lose their desire to identify with the nonbirth sex. One review concludes that “hormonal treatments for transgender adolescents can achieve their intended physical effects, but evidence regarding their psychosocial and cognitive impact is generally lacking.”

Relying on common sense, state officials believe that “social gender transition” or “reassignment” surgery shouldn’t be a treatment option for anyone under 18 “due to lack of conclusive evidence and the potential for long-term, irreversible effects.”

The Department’s guidelines are consistent with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services age requirement for surgical and non-surgical treatment. These guidelines are also in line with the guidance, reviews, and recommendations from Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, and France.

Ladapo said in a press release that the federal government’s guidelines are about injecting political ideology into children’s health. “Children experiencing gender dysphoria should be supported by family and seek counseling, not pushed into an irreversible decision before they reach 18.”

According to the state’s health research, 80 percent of children and teens who seek clinical care will lose their “transgender” desires. Blocking the natural process of puberty will negatively impact their developing brains and risk their health.

Do you like this post? Sign up for more!