Our Report on Puberty Suppression

"Puberty Suppression: Medicine or Malpractice?" cites over 300 sources on GnRH agonists, the drugs commonly called “puberty blockers.”

Today Lesbians United released our review of the literature on the drugs marketed as “puberty blockers,” titled Puberty Suppression: Medicine or Malpractice? The review cites over 300 sources, most of which are peer-reviewed scientific studies, and digs into evidence from older and better-designed studies that have not yet been brought into the conversation about puberty suppression. To our knowledge, this is the most thorough review of GnRH agonists, the drugs now marketed as “puberty blockers,” to date.

You can find the full review (free!) at https://lesbians-united.org/resources.html.

The publication was prepared by Lesbians United, and endorsed by Get the L Out UK, Lesbian Action for Visibility Aotearoa (LAVA), Lesbian Fightback, Lesbian Labour, LesbianMeToo, Lesbian Strength, Résistance Lesbienne, and Scottish Lesbians.

Three Takeaways

Yes, there IS enough research. No more claiming that the research on puberty suppression just isn’t there. No more calling for more clinical trials or urging caution until more studies are conducted on vulnerable children. A massive body of research on GnRH agonists already exists—you’ve just been using the wrong search terms.

The research shows that “puberty blockers” are really, really dangerous. Particularly urgent concerns for adolescents include loss of bone mineral density and increased risk of osteoporosis; potential for decreased IQ and other cognitive deficits; increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts; and stunted sexual and reproductive development. GnRH agonists can also affect the heart, thyroid, digestive system, urinary tract, muscles, eyes, and immune system, and cause chronic pain.

A lot of the side effects are irreversible. Osteoporosis, dementia, and diabetes are irreversible. Suicide is irreversible. Chronic pain can last for years, or forever. And major health events like heart attack, stroke, and pituitary tumors can cause problems for the rest of a person’s life. Not to mention that treating the other side effects of GnRH agonists may be extremely difficult, painful, and costly, and require other medications with other side effects.