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Pubertal blockers for transgender and gender-diverse youth

What are the benefits of use of pubertal blockers?

Gender dysphoria is the feeling of discomfort or distress that might accompany a difference between experienced or expressed gender and sex assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria that starts in childhood and worsens with the start of puberty rarely goes away.

For children who have gender dysphoria, suppressing puberty might:

  • Improve mental well-being
  • Reduce depression and anxiety
  • Improve social interactions and integration with other kids
  • Eliminate the need for future surgeries
  • Reduce thoughts or actions related to self-harm

However, puberty suppression alone might not ease gender dysphoria.