The United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care has placed a permanent, indefinite ban on puberty blockers, extending it to include Northern Ireland as well. It is set to go into effect on January 1,

A freeze placed this year on their use to treat gender dysphoria will remain in place for young people under 18, except in clinical trials, Britain’s government said.

The decision is based on “independent expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines,” which determined “there is currently an unacceptable safety risk.”