England's NHS has halted the use of puberty blockers for transgender minors over safety and efficacy concerns.

Puberty blockers in England will now be accessible only within clinical research trials and some private healthcare settings.

The policy change has incited legal and political debates, with LGBTQ advocates opposing the ban and certain politicians endorsing it.

The NHS is shifting its focus to provide psychosocial and psychological support instead, deferring hormone and surgical interventions until adulthood.

Contrastingly, in the US, medical authorities such as major medical associations and the Endocrine Society endorse puberty blockers, acknowledging their benefits and reversibility, despite potential risks like reduced fertility.

The UK's policy revision follows an increased demand for gender identity clinic services, leading to a comprehensive review of these services.