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Original poster

Where did the 'fact' that puberty blockers are reversible come from?

138 replies

WarriorN · 25/08/2023 14:52

Following the Roisin Murphy thread where a poster on a forum that was linked stated:

"puberty blockers are reversible, fact"

Does anyone know exactly what the evidence for that claim was based on originally?

Bits I've read by Michael Biggs weave a tangled tale of clinicians saying It Is So but no real scientific evidence?

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napody · 25/08/2023 15:12

dolorsit · 25/08/2023 15:06

In medical terms they are irreversible in that once you stop taking them hormone production will resume.

What may not be irreversible is the impact of having stopped hormone production for a period of time.

This (barring typo in first sentence) is such a clear explanation of the distinction, thanks.

Original poster
WarriorN · 25/08/2023 15:11

So they just transferred the evidence from the context of precocious puberty to gender affirming care?

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BonfireLady · 25/08/2023 15:10

*to create

BonfireLady · 25/08/2023 15:09

Wolfparty · 25/08/2023 14:59

I am in the process of getting my son treated for precocious puberty so have been doing a lot of reading on this. It does seem from what I have read and been told by his consultant that they are reversible in that they are just a "pause". I'm still unsure about going down this road because of some side effects though. It's a very tricky decision.

They are totally safe in this scenario. It's what they are licensed to treat.

They are used off-licence to stop puberty all together in "gender affirming care". When the child is old enough they are then given the option (98% take it) of going on to cross sex hormones. These are synthetic and won't lead to puberty of the opposite sex but will allow the body to great physical sexual characteristics that mimic the opposite sex. But the child goes through no puberty.

Original poster
WarriorN · 25/08/2023 15:07

I'm sorry Wolf, this can't be easy to read.

However, I think the timing is all v different isn't it for that condition?

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dolorsit · 25/08/2023 15:06

In medical terms they are irreversible in that once you stop taking them hormone production will resume.

What may not be irreversible is the impact of having stopped hormone production for a period of time.

AuntieEsther · 25/08/2023 15:06

They are 'reversible' if the child stops taking them at the appropriate point because their natural puberty will start again when they stop the blocker.
they aren't reversible when used past the age and stage of natural puberty. If you block puberty and stop taking the blocker at age 18 there is no evidence that natural puberty will start. The stage of puberty development has been passed.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 25/08/2023 15:02

Is it perhaps that they are reversible when used to halt precocious puberty and then resume puberty at the "normal" time?

This is different from taking puberty blockers so that a child never goes through puberty?

Wolfparty · 25/08/2023 14:59

I am in the process of getting my son treated for precocious puberty so have been doing a lot of reading on this. It does seem from what I have read and been told by his consultant that they are reversible in that they are just a "pause". I'm still unsure about going down this road because of some side effects though. It's a very tricky decision.

MrsPepperp0t · 25/08/2023 14:59

I don't know about any evidence/studies but had always assumed it was part of the "post-truth era" that we seem to be in. Not just in the field of transgenderism, but everywhere. Say something untrue, repeat it often enough, and people will accept it as fact

Original poster
WarriorN · 25/08/2023 14:57

And this is a reference from the transgender trend part 5

Which is really fascinating but the key fact still seems to be here-say

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2022.2121238

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Original poster
WarriorN · 25/08/2023 14:53

Also inspired by this thread.

Guardian describes puberty blockers as fully reversible www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4878062-guardian-describes-puberty-blockers-as-fully-reversible

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