LITTLE BACKPOCKET GUIDE TO
Puberty-suppressing hormones
Puberty-suppressing hormones (sometimes called puberty blockers) are a class of medicines that have been safely used by young people for decades.
In June 2024, the UK government implemented a ban on the supply of some puberty-suppressing hormones in some groups of young people in the UK.
The puberty-suppressing hormones that have been banned under new legislation are called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or GnRH analogues. This guide is for you if you want to know more about puberty-suppressing hormones - specifically, GnRH analogues. That includes if you or a friend, family member, or someone you care about are affected by the current ban or have questions about them. The guide draws on currently available evidence about using puberty-suppressing hormones.
✺ The Love Tank would like to acknowledge the work, input, and guidance of the experts – including trans community experts and people with experience of using puberty-suppressing hormones – that informed this guide.
Thank you also to Dr Isra Black, who provided the legal analysis that helped shape its contents.
Helpful resources
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The Sax Institute’s (2024) report on evidence for effective interventions for children and young people with gender dysphoria
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A selection of experts’ criticisms of The Cass Review:
✺ Expert consensus of the French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology working group
✺ TransActual: Briefing on The Cass Review
✺ Trans Actual: Critiques of The Cass Review
✺ The Cass Review: Cis-supremacy in the UK’s approach to healthcare for trans children (Horton, 2024)
✺ A round-up of commentary on The Cass Review from Dr Ruth Pearce
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Accessible discussions about The Cass Review
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Further information about puberty-suppressing hormones other than GnRH analogues
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The Tanner stages
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Explaining puberty-suppressing hormones to younger children
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Information about the upcoming clinical trial (PATHWAYS study) on puberty-suppressing hormones
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The ethics of randomised-controlled trials involving children
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Who is affected by the newest guidelines on the supply of GnRH analogues
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Safer hormone injection advice
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International clinical guidelines and advice about GnRH analogues
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Support for interpreting blood test results
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An option for at-home blood testing
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Resources for trans or gender-questioning young people
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Resources for parents or carers of trans or gender-questioning young people
Credits
PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY
The Love Tank CIC
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY
Dr. Benjamin Weil
Dr. Kylo Thomas
Dr. Will Nutland
ILLUSTRATIONS BY
Flatboy
DESIGN BY
Richard Kahwagi