‘Staggering increase’ in GPs denying trans healthcare

Charities and medical professionals have warned of a “staggering increase” in GPs denying gender affirming care, even when it is requested by a specialist clinic.

- BRYONY GOOCH

Campaigners have told The Independent that increasing numbers of trans people are being denied hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by GPs, with doctors claiming they are either not competent to provide the service or they are not contractually obliged.

This has caused people like Matthew Lyon, a trans man from southwest Scotland, to lose their trust in medical practitioners, even self-injecting hormone replacement treatments and avoiding doctors.

The 27-year-old said that his mental health went "down the drain" after his GP halted his hormone treatment.

He said the GP refused to prescribe or administer hormone treatment recommended by a specialist sexual health service because it was "unlicensed for the condition that has been recommended for, and long-term safety data is lacking".

Mr Lyon's previous GP had prescribed Nebido, an injection licensed in the UK as a testosterone replacement therapy for male hypogonadism. It is widely used off-label as a treatment option for gender dysphoria.

Without a doctor to administer his Nebido, Mr Lyon experienced a "mini menopause" as he was left five weeks overdue for his testosterone, which was meant to be administered every 11 weeks.

"I don't have the best mental health generally. Obviously, having stable hormone balances helps all of that," he said. "But it kind of just throws me into a bit of a hormonal tornado.

"I'm hesitant to get my blood work done in case a doctor sees something they don't like and then everything stops," he said, adding that he felt unable to register for a new practice for months.