Another thought-provoking article from Open Minded Health, this time a review on an article that examines a possible down-side of puberty blockers.
Puberty
blockers (“GnRH agonists”) can be extremely helpful for transgender
(trans) and gender non-conforming (GNC) children and their families.
They are used to “pause” puberty. The pause allows time for negotiation,
thought, and discussion. Schools need to be contacted and negotiated
with. Families may need time to ask questions and do their own
research. The trans/GNC young person is relieved from the distress of an
unwanted puberty.
Simply, puberty blockers work by telling the body “It’s not time for
puberty yet — stay as a pre-puberty body”. That message keeps ovaries
and testes from producing their sex hormones. For young people just
beginning puberty, it’s like pressing “pause” on puberty. But they can
also be used post-puberty to reduce overall sex hormone levels. So
“puberty blockers” can be used as testosterone blockers in trans women.
They’re not used often in the United States that way because they’re
expensive, but they’re very effective.
Puberty blockers are generally safe. They have been in use for a long time for children with precocious puberty. However there is one unknown that’s been a concern for both parents and their children: Bone health.
Puberty
blockers (“GnRH agonists”) can be extremely helpful for transgender
(trans) and gender non-conforming (GNC) children and their families.
They are used to “pause” puberty. The pause allows time for negotiation,
thought, and discussion. Schools need to be contacted and negotiated
with. Families may need time to ask questions and do their own
research. The trans/GNC young person is relieved from the distress of an
unwanted puberty.Puberty blockers are generally safe. They have been in use for a long time for children with precocious puberty. However there is one unknown that’s been a concern for both parents and their children: Bone health.
