Gender-questioning children will have to be at least 11 years old to take part in a clinical trial assessing the risks and benefits of puberty-blocking drugs.

The planned Pathways Trial, external was paused in February 2026 after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) raised safety concerns and suggested introducing a minimum age of 14, where none had been set previously.

It says discussions with the research team have allowed “a number of safeguards”, including participation age, to be strengthened.