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Here are some additional facts about the medicalisation of "gender non-conforming" children. Puberty blockers can be prescribed once a child reaches Tanner Stage 2. This is the first stage of puberty; usually age 9-11 in girls and age 11 in boys. 1/7 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55015959
The youngest child GIDS has treated with hormone blockers to date was 8 years & 9 months old. Puberty provides a window of development which, if missed, cannot be regained at a later stage. The NHS website asserts: “Little is known about long-term side effects of hormone or 2/7
puberty blockers in children with gender dysphoria". Although Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) advises this is a physically reversible treatment if stopped, it isn't known what psychological effects may be. It’s also not known whether hormone blockers affect the 3/7
development of the teenage brain or children’s bones.
Side effects may also include hot flushes, fatigue and mood alterations. We also know that when puberty blockers were given to sheep the findings suggest that blockers impair brain development in significant areas 4/7
Side effects may also include hot flushes, fatigue and mood alterations. We also know that when puberty blockers were given to sheep the findings suggest that blockers impair brain development in significant areas 4/7
and this impairment is not reversed if blockers are discontinued. Here are some conclusions in this trial(GnRHa are puberty blockers):Peripubertal GnRHa impaired long-term spatial memory.This impairment was not reversed after discontinuing GnRHa-treatment. 5/7
Spatial orientation & learning performance remained unaffected following GnRHa withdrawal. Speed of progression through these spatial tasks was altered after discontinuing GnRHa. GnRH irreversibly alters these cognitive functions during the critical window of development.6/7
It is not accurate to describe cross-sex hormones as “partially reversible” as they cause some irreversible changes to the body; for example, oestrogen will cause the growth of breast tissues & testosterone will cause the voice to break. Research is in its infancy 7/7
