
Pubertal blockers for transgender and gender-diverse youth
What do pubertal blockers do?
What are the benefits of use of pubertal blockers?
What are the criteria for use of pubertal blockers?
Are the changes permanent?
What is the typical treatment time frame?
How is the medication given?
What are the possible side effects and complications?
What other treatments are needed?
What other treatments are needed?
Assessment and counseling by a behavioral health provider can help you and your child as you move through the decision-making process and provide support during therapy. Engaging your child's schoolteachers and officials also might help ease your child's social adjustment during this process.
After a period of adjusting to pubertal blockers, adolescents might work with their care team to add cross-hormone treatment. This is done to develop masculine or feminine secondary sex characteristics, helping the mind and body look and act like the gender with which your child identifies. Keep in mind that some of these changes aren't reversible or will require surgery to reverse the effects.
GnRH analogues aren't the only medications that can delay puberty. If you're interested in alternative treatments, talk to your child's doctor.