Dr. Stephen Stathis, an experienced Australian gender specialist, no longer believes puberty blockers are “just a pause” for children experiencing gender issues. 

He founded the gender clinic at the Queensland Children’s Hospital and has seen a massive jump in children seeking out services. 

Dr Stathis has recently indicated that the evidence for the continued use of puberty blockers is of “low quality” and points to data from overseas studies.

In frank remarks to a psychiatry conference Dr. Stathis also said he no longer believed that puberty blockers offered children a “pause.”

“I’ve changed my mind based on the evidence; it’s really not a pause for the vast majority of young people,” he said.

Dr. Stathis, who is medical director of Child and Youth Mental Health Service at Children’s Health Queensland, was referring to Dutch and English data showing that almost all of the young patients started on blockers went on to cross-sex hormones, which have irreversible effects.

Dr. Stathis made the remarks during a presentation at a conference of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) in Cairns, Queensland. 

He is not calling for a ban on the drugs, but rather, is arguing that other treatments should be prioritised first and more rigorous studies conducted.

There is no national network or consensus among gender clinics in Australia for research or trials. 

Puberty blockers are currently being used off-label for gender confused children. There are well documented side effects such as sterility, zero sexual function, brain and bone development issues. 

Cross-sex hormones inflict even greater harm with irreversible consequences that children could not possibly understand or consent to.

Only a handful of Australian medical practitioners have been brave enough to call out the facts surrounding the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. 

Those who do, such as Professor Dianna Kenny, Dr Jillian Spencer, Dr Dylan Wilson, and Professor John Whitehall have all faced serious backlash despite warnings of horrible consequences for children.

An urgent inquiry into medicalised pathways for children is required, despite a majority of Federal Senators recently voting against a motion to conduct such an inquiry. 

You can sign our petition here as this issue will only continue to grow as a concern for vulnerable children in our society. 

They deserve the best of care, not experimental practices that do irreversible harm.