Puberty blockers are also known as hormone blockers or puberty inhibitors.
Common puberty blocker drug options are:
What Do Puberty Blockers Do?
Puberty blockers are antagonists to the production of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
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How Do Puberty Blockers Work?
Puberty blockers work by temporarily halting the process of puberty.
These drugs are administered either by an injection or an implant.
Injections are given every months or every three months, and the implant will last up to a year.
The injections or implants are provided by a medical practitioner.
At What Age Are Puberty Blockers Given?
Puberty can happen as early as age eight for AFAB children and nine for AMAB children.
Are Puberty Blockers Healthy/Safe?
Puberty blockers are generally considered to be safe.
It means that the side effects are considered minor enough to warrant their use.
Decreased bone density may be the biggest long-term risk of taking puberty blockers.
Studies regarding the potential loss of bone density in children who receive puberty blockers are ongoing.
Additionally, because they are under eighteen they need the consent of a parent or guardian.
To qualify for puberty blockers, a child should be at the start or later of puberty.
They aren’t prescribed before its onset.
Additionally, there needs to be a clear history of gender dysphoria or gender nonconformity.
Additionally, the adolescent must be able to successfully consent in an informed manner to the drugs.
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Standards of Care - WPATH World Professional Association for Transgender Health.www.wpath.org.
