What are puberty blockers? What are the benefits and risks for transgender children?

What are Puberty Blockers? What are the Benefits and Risks for Transgender Children?

What are Puberty Blockers?

Puberty blockers are medications that halt the production of oestrogen and testosterone in the body. In a clinical setting, they are referred to as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa). These medications can be used to prevent bodily changes associated with puberty in adolescents.

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Benefits of Puberty Blockers for Transgender Children

Many transgender children describe anxiety about unwanted physical changes that occur during puberty, especially as adolescence approaches. For those presumed female at birth, these changes may include breast development and menstruation, while for those presumed male at birth, these changes may include the development of a deeper voice, facial hair, and a masculine physique.

Puberty blockers can reduce misgendering, which can be a significant and lifelong source of distress. Some transgender people may seek surgery to address these unwanted changes, which can include chest masculinization, facial feminization, voice alteration, or reduction of the Adam’s apple.

The most obvious benefit of puberty blockers for transgender young people and their families is to avoid unwanted changes that come with puberty. Additionally, puberty blockers can reduce misgendering and prevent the need for future surgery.

Risks of Puberty Blockers for Transgender Children

Puberty blockers are generally well-tolerated, but as with any medical intervention, they can also cause unwanted effects, including reductions in bone density and fertility, as well as changes in adult height. When started beyond early to mid-puberty, they are more likely to cause menopausal-like side effects, such as hot flashes, due to a reduction in sex hormone production.

There are also potential long-term effects of puberty blockers that are still being investigated, including potential effects on cognitive development.

Where are the Randomized Controlled Trials of Puberty Blockers?

Randomized controlled trials are typically considered the gold-standard way to study the effectiveness of medical interventions. However, there have been no randomized controlled trials of puberty blockers for transgender adolescents, which has led some to label this treatment as experimental.

How are Puberty Blockers Accessed in Different Clinical Settings?

In the United Kingdom, puberty blockers will now only be accessed by transgender adolescents via the National Health Service (NHS) in a research setting, following the adoption of recommendations by the Cass review.

In Australia, health experts have cautioned against comparing our health system to the NHS and highlighted that many of the review’s recommendations align with existing practices within Australian specialist gender services. Puberty blockers in Australia are accessed by transgender adolescents as part of a comprehensive, team-based approach to gender-affirming care.

Conclusion

Puberty blockers can be a valuable treatment option for transgender children to prevent unwanted physical changes associated with puberty and reduce misgendering. While there are some risks associated with puberty blockers, they are generally well-tolerated and can provide significant benefits for transgender young people and their families.

FAQs

Q: What are puberty blockers used for?

A: Puberty blockers are used to prevent bodily changes associated with puberty in adolescents.

Q: What are the benefits of puberty blockers for transgender children?

A: The benefits of puberty blockers for transgender children include reduced misgendering, avoidance of unwanted changes associated with puberty, and potentially reducing the need for future surgery.

Q: What are the risks of puberty blockers for transgender children?

A: The risks of puberty blockers for transgender children include reductions in bone density and fertility, as well as changes in adult height, and potentially long-term effects on cognitive development.

Q: Are puberty blockers experimental?

A: While there have been no randomized controlled trials of puberty blockers for transgender adolescents, many experts consider puberty blockers to be a well-established treatment option for transgender young people.

Q: How are puberty blockers accessed in different clinical settings?

A: Puberty blockers are accessed in different clinical settings through a comprehensive, team-based approach to gender-affirming care, which may include consultation with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.