围绕青春期阻滞剂在跨性别青少年中的使用，澳大利亚及全球多国陷入激烈争议。该类药物通过注射方式抑制性激素分泌，支持者认为它为青少年提供了时间来重新评估是否继续过渡治疗，但反对者质疑其证据基础不足、可能存在安全风险，且儿童难以给予知情同意[1]。
澳大利亚在这一问题上的行动步履加快。昆士兰州去年成为全国首个限制公众获取青春期阻滞剂的州，已将相关治疗暂停至2031年[1]。该州儿童性别服务此前有77名患者使用过该药物，珀斯儿童医院性别多样性服务则有58名患者[1]。澳大利亚联邦政府已要求国家卫生医学研究委员会制定新的国家治疗指南，预计2028年完成，临时报告将在数周内发布[1]。
这场辩论并非澳大利亚独有。美国总统特朗普去年签署行政令，停止对19岁以下儿童性别肯定医疗的联邦资金，青春期阻滞剂在其禁用范围内[1]。英国、芬兰和新西兰也纷纷限制了该药物的使用[1]。然而，澳大利亚医学协会仍支持对性别焦虑症儿童使用青春期阻滞剂[1]，这反映出医学专业人士与政策制定者之间的分歧。卡丝评审指出，青春期阻滞剂的证据基础"薄弱"，对生育能力和骨骼健康的影响缺乏充分证据支撑[1]，这成为了限制措施的关键依据。
Australia is navigating an increasingly contentious debate over puberty blockers—injectable medications that suppress sex hormones—in transgender youth, amid broader international restrictions on the treatment.[1] Queensland became the first Australian state to limit public access to the drugs last year, suspending their use until 2031.[1] The Australian federal government has subsequently commissioned the National Health and Medical Research Council to develop new national treatment guidelines, with final recommendations expected in 2028 and an interim report anticipated within weeks.[1]
Supporters of puberty blockers argue the medications provide adolescents time to consider whether to continue gender transition treatment, while critics contend the evidence base is insufficient, safety risks remain unclear, and children cannot meaningfully provide informed consent.[1] A Cass review found the evidence foundation for puberty blockers to be "thin," with inadequate data on impacts to fertility and bone health.[1] The Australian Medical Association backs the use of puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria, even as several countries have moved to restrict access.[1] The United States, under President Trump, suspended federal funding last year for gender-affirming medical care for minors under 19, including puberty blockers, while the United Kingdom, Finland, and New Zealand have similarly limited their use.[1]
Queensland's gender services had 77 patients on puberty blockers, and Perth Children's Hospital's gender diversity service had 58 patients using the medication.[1]