I read a letter of April 21, 2025 from the acting deputy secretary of defense for health affairs, Dr. Stephen Ferrara, who provides advice for the treatment of minors with gender dysphoria in military medical treatment facilities. After noting the Pentagon policy prohibiting the initiation or pursuit of treatment with puberty blockers or inter-sex hormone therapy, the letter allows clinicians to offer a rupture diet which can last between 6 and 12 weeks, during which military doctors can write prescriptions. Something more than 12 weeks should obtain express approval from the Ferrara office. The letter also notes the administrative modifications which will oblige patients to fill in the tapered prescriptions “in pharmacies of the private sector at their expense”.
