Italian Psychological Association Expressed ‘Great Concern’ Over Puberty Blocking Drugs

Italy This is the latest European country where a body of professionals in health has warned against using puberty blocking drugs in kids.

Italian Psychoanalytic Society (SPI), wrote a Let me know Giorgia Maloni, the Italian Prime Minister, is honored this month Express yourself “great concern” The “ongoing experimentation” Use of drugs to prevent puberty in children, and for urging “rigorous scientific discussion.” 

“The diagnosis of gender dysphoria at prepubertal age is based on the statements of the individuals concerned and cannot be subject to careful evaluation while the development of sexual identity is still in progress,” The letter states.

The letter, written by president Sarantis Thanopulos and published on the society’s website, outlined “contraindications” To the drugs that block puberty “seriously considered.”

“Only a minority of children who state that they do not identify with their gender confirm this position in adolescence, after puberty,” The letter went on. The body of the letter continued. Research indicates that roughly 60–90% of children who identify as transgender, but do not socially or medically transition, will no longer identify as transgender in adulthood.

“It is important to initiate a rigorous scientific discussion on the issue of children with gender problems, to which the Italian Psychoanalytic Society will gladly contribute,” The letter was closed.

Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister who took office in October 2022, indicated skepticism of radical gender theory during a speech She spoke in Spain last June and said that she was proud of the speech. “Yes to the natural family, no to the LGBT lobby, yes to sexual identity, no to gender ideology …”

International consensus is growing that minors with gender dysphoria must be treated first by psychotherapy and not medical intervention. The Swedish, Finnish, and the Danish health authorities are all aware of this. U.K. After systematic reviews of evidence on cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, all parties have concluded that there are far more risks than benefits.

It is far from perfect “completely safe and reversible” And “a pause button on puberty,” As proponents “gender-affirming care” According to some, children who take puberty blocksers as soon as they feel the urge to, then go on to use cross-sex hormones (which make up the vast majority of the population), will be sterilized. They may not ever be able orgasm.

The New York Times examined the adverse effects of hormone blockers on bone health and published an investigative report. Article After reviewing the scientific literature, and interviewing more than 50 academic experts from around the globe, 

The United States has a tradition of doctors prescribing off-label puberty blocks to treat female infertility. “treatment” Experimental treatment for gender dysphoria among adolescents. It is not FDA-approved for off-label use. There are no long term studies that support its use in this crucial window of brain and body development.