Puberty blocker

Puberty blockers (also called puberty inhibitors or hormone blockers) are medicines used to postpone puberty in children. The most commonly used puberty blockers are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, which suppress the production of sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. In addition to their use in treating precocious puberty, which involves puberty occurring at an unusually early age (and sometimes idiopathic short stature) in children, puberty blockers are also used for transgender children to delay the development of unwanted sex characteristics, so as to allow transgender youth more time to explore their gender identity.

"Hormone blocker" redirects here. For testosterone blockers, see Antiandrogen. For estrogen blockers, see Aromatase inhibitor.

While few studies have examined the effects of puberty blockers for gender non-conforming and transgender adolescents, the studies that have been conducted generally indicate that these treatments are reasonably safe, are reversible, and can improve psychological well-being in these individuals, including reducing suicidality.

At least 18 US states have banned elements of gender affirming care for transgender youth including puberty blockers. Some of these state laws include criminal penalties for doctors that provide puberty blockers to their patients.

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