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Original poster

Guardian describes puberty blockers as fully reversible

38 replies

TheGreatATuin · 22/08/2023 15:43

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/22/alabama-ban-treatments-trans-children

Puberty blockers are fully reversible prescription medication that pause sexual maturation, typically given in injections or skin implants.

It's had me wondering about responsible journalism. Puberty blockers are being pulled back across multiple countries due to concerns. I guess I find it extraordinary that a mainstream supposedly reputable newspaper can just trot that out. It feels deeply irresponsible at best.

Alabama can enforce ban on treatments for trans children, court says

Decision leaves families of transgender children, who had been receiving puberty blockers and hormones, scrambling for care

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/22/alabama-ban-treatments-trans-children

OP posts:
Winnading · 22/08/2023 20:32

Wbeezer · 22/08/2023 20:04

This is where I have to admit that I have never seen it spelled out clearly,
I Know that children who take puberty blockers for precocious puberty for a few years go on to have a normal puberty when they stop at an appropriate age ( although their are often side effects that are irreversible to bones etc.)
If a young person took puberty blockers BEYOND the normal range and didn't take cross sex hormones, if they stopped at, for instance 20, would they then go through a very late but normal puberty? Or is there a time frame beyond which puberty is switched off permanently even if you stop medication entirely, ie. You've missed your slot.
I know that virtually all young people on puberty blockers go on to cross sex hormones ( the effects of social transition are also not that easy to reverse if started young) so maybe there haven't been enough who don't to really know?

You've missed your slot is the short answer.

There is a longer answer but I'm too tired to dig it out. Maybe another day.

Boomboom22 · 22/08/2023 20:25

Maybe someone could tweet this to MF or JKR to provide some sunlight and query this?

BonfireLady · 22/08/2023 20:23

Wbeezer · 22/08/2023 20:04

This is where I have to admit that I have never seen it spelled out clearly,
I Know that children who take puberty blockers for precocious puberty for a few years go on to have a normal puberty when they stop at an appropriate age ( although their are often side effects that are irreversible to bones etc.)
If a young person took puberty blockers BEYOND the normal range and didn't take cross sex hormones, if they stopped at, for instance 20, would they then go through a very late but normal puberty? Or is there a time frame beyond which puberty is switched off permanently even if you stop medication entirely, ie. You've missed your slot.
I know that virtually all young people on puberty blockers go on to cross sex hormones ( the effects of social transition are also not that easy to reverse if started young) so maybe there haven't been enough who don't to really know?

Sadly, if you go beyond a certain point it will never happen.

It also depends on how early they are taken.

Many children who are given them start them early and will stay on them until they are given cross sex hormones. According to the Tavistock's data, 98% of those who take puberty blockers will go on to take cross sex hormones. For this group of children there will be no puberty and it is never possible for it to happen.

I can dig out more with facts (different "Tanner" stages i.e. stages of puberty) but that's the essence of it.

Wbeezer · 22/08/2023 20:04

This is where I have to admit that I have never seen it spelled out clearly,
I Know that children who take puberty blockers for precocious puberty for a few years go on to have a normal puberty when they stop at an appropriate age ( although their are often side effects that are irreversible to bones etc.)
If a young person took puberty blockers BEYOND the normal range and didn't take cross sex hormones, if they stopped at, for instance 20, would they then go through a very late but normal puberty? Or is there a time frame beyond which puberty is switched off permanently even if you stop medication entirely, ie. You've missed your slot.
I know that virtually all young people on puberty blockers go on to cross sex hormones ( the effects of social transition are also not that easy to reverse if started young) so maybe there haven't been enough who don't to really know?

MrsOvertonsWindow · 22/08/2023 19:51

The Guardian is a bloody disgrace.
This is what the captured NHS states about them (note the mealy mouthed "although GIDS advises....") - presumably trying to avoid all the law suits coming down the line :

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment/

Little is known about the long-term side effects of hormone or puberty blockers in children with gender dysphoria.
Although GIDS advises this is a physically reversible treatment if stopped, it is not known what the psychological effects may be.
It's also not known whether hormone blockers affect the development of the teenage brain or children's bones. Side effects may also include hot flushes, fatigue and mood alterations.

nhs.uk

Gender dysphoria - Treatment

Treatment for gender dysphoria aims to help people live the way they want to, in their preferred gender identity or as non-binary.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment

BonfireLady · 22/08/2023 19:37

Does anyone know if this is on Twitter? It'd be good to add some comments to challenge that. Such irresponsible journalism.

I presume it's outside of IPSO jurisdiction sadly.

RealityFan · 22/08/2023 16:35

The Guardian describes itself as a newspaper as well. Got that wrong too.

BCCoach · 22/08/2023 16:31

That’s a syndicated AP article.

Original poster
TheGreatATuin · 22/08/2023 16:30

ArabeIIaScott · 22/08/2023 16:27

That's the US wing.

Ah, of course it is. Its still worrying. I have lost so much faith in the media over this. Extraordinary how confidently they can make pronouncements about something they've got completely wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheGreatATuin · 22/08/2023 16:28

SirVixofVixHall · 22/08/2023 15:52

That is a blatant lie. Don’t papers in the UK have an obligation not to print out and out lies/propaganda ?

That's what I'm wondering. Surely, there must be something that says they have an obligation to fact check? I could understand when it was ten years ago and there was still little understanding of it, but now? With the Cass Review and NICE report only them? It's blatant misinformation.

OP posts:
ArabeIIaScott · 22/08/2023 16:27

That's the US wing.

SirVixofVixHall · 22/08/2023 15:52

That is a blatant lie. Don’t papers in the UK have an obligation not to print out and out lies/propaganda ?

Apollo441 · 22/08/2023 15:50

The Guardian are not interested in truth. They are cheer leaders for gender ideology.