You’ve probably heard the news – puberty blockers have been banned for people under the age of 18 in the UK – and you might be worried about it.
The headlines are a bit misleading: one group of medicines has been banned, but you still have options to stop your puberty.
We know this is a scary time, but we’re here to help you understand the puberty blocker ban, what’s affected, and what your options are.
What are puberty blockers?
Puberty blockers are medicines that stop the changes that puberty makes to your body, which usually make you appear more like the gender you were assigned at birth. For example, if your breasts, testicles or penis were going to grow larger, puberty blockers would stop this from happening.
Quick puberty blocker facts:
Puberty blockers work by interfering with the hormones that make these changes happen.
Even if you’re taking puberty blockers, gender-affirming medication will make the puberty changes of your gender identity happen.
If you’re taking puberty blockers and feminising hormone therapy, you will experience feminine puberty.
If you’re taking puberty blockers and masculinising hormone therapy, you will experience masculine puberty.
Puberty blockers can’t reverse the changes that puberty has already made to your body.
They can stop further changes from happening.
Puberty blockers don’t stop all changes - you’ll still grow armpit hair and have to deal with spots.
If you stop taking puberty blockers, your puberty will resume (usually within six months).
Basically, puberty blockers let you pause puberty. This gives you a chance to explore your gender identity in your own time. You can think about, research and plan what steps you want to take in your journey.
What puberty blockers have been banned?
One specific group of medicines has been banned in the UK for under 18s. These are called GnRH agonists, GnRH analogues, or GnRHa. They work the same way as hormones your body naturally makes.
The banned puberty blockers are:
Buserelin
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Leuprorelin acetate
Nafarelin
Triptorelin
If you’re already receiving one of these puberty blockers through the NHS, you won’t be affected by the ban and you’ll still be prescribed the GnRH agonists.
If you’re prescribed GnRH agonists but aren’t sure if you’re affected by the ban, speak with your healthcare provider.
What puberty stopping options do I still have in the UK?
There are still options open to you to help you stop your puberty.
A GenderGP doctor can help you find the treatment that’s best for you. There are different options depending on whether your puberty would make you more masculine (masculinising) or more feminine (feminising).
Stopping Feminising Puberty
These are options that will stop changes like your breasts developing, your hips widening, and starting your period.
GnRH Antagonists
Antagonists (not to be confused with agonists) block the first step in the chain reaction that leads to feminising hormones being released in your body, stopping puberty. This is a similar mechanism to the banned puberty blockers.
You can take these as injections.
SERMs
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) stop the feminising puberty hormone, oestrogen, from binding to cell receptors in the breasts. This can help reduce breast growth.
SERMs can be taken as pills.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the hormone which makes the changes in masculinising puberty. We only recommend this when you’re ready for your body to make changes usually associated with masculinity. It suppresses the effects of estrogen, the hormone responsible for the changes in feminising puberty.
This can be applied as a gel or taken as injections.
Stopping Masculinising Puberty
These are options that will stop changes like your penis and testicles growing larger, your voice getting deeper, and your shoulders getting broader.
GnRH Antagonists
Antagonists (not to be confused with agonists) block the first step in the chain reaction that leads to masculinising hormones being released in your body, stopping puberty. This is a similar mechanism to the banned puberty blockers.
You can either take these as pills or injections.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone makes your body produce less testosterone (masculinising hormone), more estrogen (feminising hormone), and makes you more sensitive to feminising hormones.
This comes as a tablet.
Cyproterone
This blocks the masculinising effects of testosterone by suppressing its production.
This comes as a tablet.
Can GenderGP help me stop my puberty?
We’re here to talk you through your options. If you book a Doctor Consultation with GenderGP, we can give you advice on what would work best for you.
The consultation service is available to both members and non-members.
FAQ
Are these alternatives legal?
The only medicines that are banned are the GnRH agonists - everything else we’ve listed is legal to prescribe to under 18s.
Are puberty blockers dangerous?
All medicines come with some risks of side effects, and this includes puberty blockers. However, these medicines have been selected by trained professionals, and are used around the world to help young transgender people.
Why were puberty blockers banned?
At GenderGP, we are shocked at the decision to ban puberty blockers. We believe this is based on fear and a lack of understanding. You can read our response here.
I want to stop my puberty to explore my gender identity, but my family doesn’t understand
We understand this is a difficult time, but we’re here to help. Please see our guides on how to talk to your family, and what to do if you don’t feel supported.
How do I start hormone therapy as an under 18?
We have a guide for young people who want to start hormone therapy here.
Where can I find more support?
If you’re looking for further support outside our platform, we recommend getting in touch with Mermaids - a UK charity for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children.
If you have any questions, talk to us.