Adverse effects of Puberty Blockers

[alhoon]

A new study from UCL shows adverse effects of puberty blockers: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines...brain-function

In short, there is evidence that giving puberty blockers to 11-14 years old minors impacts their cognitive growth and leads to lower IQ. The study is based on previous studies and addresses the need for more such tests to see the impact in mental development, which the authors show that is linked with puberty. I.e. your brain doesn't grow just with age, but with what stage of puberty you are in.
The studies mentioned show a decline to IQ as a result of puberty blockers and they are statistically significant results.

You can read the paper here: https://www.authorea.com/users/71332...gical-function
It is a review paper that references and critically analyzes previous studies (a review paper).

Here is the abstract:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Concerns have been raised regarding the neuropsychological impact of medications that interrupt puberty, given the magnitude and complexity of changes that occur in brain function and structure during this sensitive window of neurodevelopment. This review examines the literature on the impact of pubertal suppression on cognitive and behavioural function in animals and humans. In mammals the effects are complex and often sex specific. There is no evidence that cognitive effects are fully reversible following discontinuation of treatment. No human studies have systematically explored the impact of these treatments on neuropsychological function with an adequate baseline and follow up. However there is some evidence of a detrimental impact of pubertal suppression on IQ, concordant with findings in the wider literature on gonadotropin-hormone-releasing-hormone expression in relevant brain structures. Critical questions remain unanswered regarding the nature, extent and permanence of any arrested development of cognitive function that may be associated with pharmacological blocking of puberty in humans. The impact of puberal suppression on measures of neuropsychological functions should be an urgent priority for future research. Neuropsychologists should be an integral member of the multidisciplinary team caring for people treated with puberty blockers to monitor the impact of these treatments.

It should come to no surprise that giving high doses of hormones to change one's natural growth would indeed have adverse effects on how the brain grows, or the body grows. More studies are needed, studies that are not directed by the fear that the "wrong" result would lead to the professors involved being cancelled and losing their funding.

One issue touched by the author is that there was no follow-up on the studies to see whether the mental development recovered after stopping the puberty blockers. The damage may be permanent, or the mind may recover. But we do need more studies.

[mishkin]

Your article

Puberty blocker drugs given to young people with gender dysmorphia significantly risk lowering their IQs, suggests Dr Sallie Baxendale (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology), who calls for more research into the impact of the drugs on children's brain functions.

Wiki

While few studies have examined the effects of puberty blockers for gender non-conforming and transgender adolescents, the studies that have been conducted generally indicate that these treatments are reasonably safe, are reversible, and can improve psychological well-being in these individuals, including reducing suicidality.[6][7][8][9][10]

There are more discussions about transsexuality on this site than there are about virtually any other topic. More than about artificial intelligence, climate change, Epstein, job insecurity, immigration... "We are concerned about the children!!!" More threads about transsexuality than about abortion or sexual abuse of children.

Transsexuality. It affects a tiny percentage of the population, but we are obsessed with it. The only interesting discussion about it would be to ask why. Why are some people obsessed with it.

[Gigantus]

"Critical questions remain unanswered regarding the nature, extent and permanence of any arrested development of cognitive function that may be associated with pharmacological blocking of puberty in humans."


Apart from that according to the report itself results were already published in 2001 and 2016, way before transgender became a 'thing', that indicated loss of IQ. See this section:

Central Precocious Puberty
In the only human study that established a baseline prior to treatment, Mul et al (2001) examined the response to treatment with GnRH......

From what I gather the report did not do research itself but rather is a collection of a number of other reports on which then conclusions were drawn. It's not peer reviewed either.

And I totally agree with Mishkin here:

Transsexuality. It affects a tiny percentage of the population, but we are obsessed with it. The only interesting discussion about it would be to ask why. Why is some people obsessed with it.

[alhoon]

While the author of the study says "more studies are needed" the results of the cited studies, all of which are peer-reviewed, point towards a statistically significant downgrade of mental maturity for teens.
Meanwhile, the authors of those studies claim that a drop of (on average) 7 IQ is not a problem (check the article, and the cited research). Thus, the wiki of "studies show that effects are reversible" is simply incomplete.

As the author suggests more studies are needed before we go out and claim that there's no permanent effects from puberty blockers.
Furthermore, in the framing of the case the article is clear that studies agree that puberty is important phase of mental development. Read "Puberty as a critical window in neurodevelopment " in the article.

And from the key points: "4. The impact of pubertal suppression on measures of neuropsychological functions should be an urgent priority for future research."

My point remains: Claiming that Puberty blockers do not cause permanent effects, at least in the brain's development, is false. There are very few studies on the subject and none that has gone to examine whether the drop of IQ and other mental development issues persist after the kid stops taking the blockers.

EDIT: To be fair, I didn't find any studies that claim Puberty blockers do not cause permanent effects either. As the author says, there has been no research on whether the effects are reversible or not.

[Love Mountain]

Transsexuality. It affects a tiny percentage of the population, but we are obsessed with it. The only interesting discussion about it would be to ask why. Why are some people obsessed with it.

It is rather strange how so many people are so obsessed with trans-people. My guess? They watch too much mainstream media like Fox New and Newsweek.

May I suggest playing video games instead?

[Gigantus]

"My point remains: Claiming that Puberty blockers do not cause permanent effects, at least in the brain's development, is false."

A point you never made. A claim you never referenced.

[Lord Thesaurian]

It is rather strange how so many people are so obsessed with trans-people. My guess? They watch too much mainstream media like Fox New and Newsweek.

The D&D sub is definitely too obsessed with this topic. Putting that aside, when the dominant liberal establishment is determined to enforce transgenderism as a tenet of their political and social platform, we get wild developments, like the number of people ages 13-24 identifying as trans doubling in just five years. It’s also a likely factor behind a tendency for older studies showing higher rates of desistance than newer ones. These kids watch Tik Tok, not Fox or CNN. Clearly, the obsession did not start with the reaction to the obsession. Advocates will say this indicates a liberating trend of social acceptance and is a good thing, even as they firmly reject the possibility of social contagion implied by their own premise.

However, the available literature strongly suggests that absent this kind of social conditioning, let alone chemical castration or cross sex hormone treatments, the vast majority of kids with gender dysphoria desist from trans identity by adulthood. This is why trans advocates are fighting to socially condition younger and younger kids with cross dressing, changing names/pronouns and even stuff like puberty blockers. These measures reinforce trans identity and make desistance much less likely by the time a child finishes puberty. It’s pretty sad in today’s world when the demand that kids be allowed a normal childhood instead of being bombarded by gender theory and experimentation from the time they can speak to prepare them for heavy drugs and surgery by the time they are teens is considered reactionary. I’m grateful I grew up in a time before this madness.

[mishkin]

"They try to destroy our society". Base of the conservative ideology with which they fought against women's rights, racial segregation, homosexuality...

Tucker Carlson says gender-affirming care is ‘chemical castration’’ The Fox News host on Friday criticized the Biden administration for its views on gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary minors.

“Here’s the medical guidance we just got from Jen Psaki,” Carlson said. “Slicing off a child’s sex organs, preventing a 12-year-old from going through puberty, that’s not ghoulish and dangerous and horrifying. No, it’s not. It’s ‘gender affirming health care.’ Indeed, it’s all we’re now calling a best practice.”

Gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary minors is supported by major medical organizations — including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association — who say restrictions on such care put the wellbeing of young people at risk.

A recent Human Rights Campaign report found that a large majority of American adults believe transgender people deserve equal rights under the law and protection from discrimination or violence, though their perception of trans and nonbinary people was heavily influenced by where they get their news.

Just over 30 percent of adults who said they regularly consumed right-leaning news, like Fox News or Newsmax, said trans people should have equal treatment under the law.

Carlson on Friday also cited a longitudinal study commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS) in the U.K. which he alleged found little evidence that using puberty blockers helps young people struggling with their gender identity.

The study, published last year in the journal PLOS one, actually found that, overall, participants’ experience using puberty blockers was positive and “there were no unexpected adverse events.”

“We identified no changes in psychological function, quality of life or degree of gender dysphoria,” researchers wrote. They added that more research was needed to “fully quantify” the positive and negative effects of puberty blockers.

Carlson said the study had found that children on puberty blockers experienced stunted growth, weaker bones and had “measurably lower” IQs, which is not true.

Ron DeSantis Likened Trans-Affirming Care to Chemical Castration During Debate

The worst of it came during DeSantis’s comments about trans medical care for youth. The governor used deceptively loaded language to refer to medical practices, describing top surgery as "doing double mastectomies on young girls" and comparing the use of puberty blockers to chemical castration. It is true that transition can involve puberty blockers, which are safe, effective, and reversible. It’s also true that a small number of teens pursue top surgery as part of their transition; however, only about 1% of trans people who undergo gender-affirming surgery experience regret, according to a 2021 meta-analysis. Comparing top surgery to a double mastectomy — a procedure commonly performed to either treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer — is transphobic and misleading.

It’s also false that any kind of transition-related care amounts to chemical castration, which is a type of hormone therapy often used to treat prostate cancer by lowering the production of testosterone in the testicles. While trans women and girls also often take anti-androgens such as spironolactone, the action mechanisms of chemical castration and androgen suppression for gender-affirming purposes are different.

DeSantis also claimed that “dysphoria resolves itself by the time they become adults” and that “it’s inappropriate to be doing basically what’s genital mutilation.” Research has shown that the idea that dysphoria “resolves itself” is a myth, and trans teenagers are simply not undergoing genital surgeries — although some cis teenagers are. The WPATH Standards of Care, a set of medical guidelines for transition-related care, explicitly state that patients must be the age of majority in their countries before undergoing genital surgery.

JFC, looks likeTucker Carlson and Ron De Santis have accounts here at TWC

[alhoon]

"My point remains: Claiming that Puberty blockers do not cause permanent effects, at least in the brain's development, is false."

A point you never made. A claim you never referenced.

Ehhh, I did.

One issue touched by the author is that there was no follow-up on the studies to see whether the mental development recovered after stopping the puberty blockers. The damage may be permanent, or the mind may recover. But we do need more studies.

And my reference is the article that states that more studies are needed before we can claim with sufficient confidence that hormone blockers do not cause permanent effects and that the effects are reversible.
Yes, that part of the study is the author's non-peer reviewed opinion. It is also my opinion.

" Critical questions remain unanswered regarding the nature, extent and permanence of any arrested development of cognitive function that may be associated with pharmacological blocking of puberty in humans. The impact of puberal suppression on measures of neuropsychological functions should be an urgent priority for future research. "

"They try to destroy our society". Base of the conservative ideology with which they fought against women's rights, racial segregation, homosexuality...

Tucker Carlson says gender-affirming care is ‘chemical castration’’ The Fox News host on Friday criticized the Biden administration for its views on gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary minors.



Ron DeSantis Likened Trans-Affirming Care to Chemical Castration During Debate



Looks likeTucker Carlson and Ron De Santis have accounts here at TWC

We're not talking about chemical castration or destruction of society though Mishkin. Do you have any conclusive evidence, a number of reliable studies that prove that the effects Puberty blockers have on mental development are indeed reversible?
Because the article points out that there have not been such studies. I.e. unless the paper is wrong, those saying "the effect on mental development is completely reversible!" are as unscientific as claiming puberty blockers are Chemical Castration or that you can pray the gay away.

Do you have access to studies that claim the effects are reversible before you say "the effects are reversible" or not?
The article claims there are not enough such studies and explains the reasons.
Now, it is not peer reviewed indeed. So the reviewers may throw it back to the authors and point out such studies. But so far, I am not aware of any studies that show what you claim.

[Lord Thesaurian]

Chemical castration accurately describes what GnRH agonists (puberty blockers) do. Side effects include severe headaches and muscle pain, urinary and genital dysfunction and bleeding, weakened bones, heart problems, sudden numbness or slurred speech, seizures, incontinence, pituitary gland dysfunction and mood swings such as sudden aggressive behavior, depression and suicidal thoughts. And that’s in adults, never mind a growing body still in development.

[alhoon]

Chemical castration accurately describes what GnRH agonists (puberty blockers) do. Side effects include severe headaches and muscle pain, urinary and genital dysfunction and bleeding, weakened bones, heart problems, sudden numbness or slurred speech, seizures, incontinence, pituitary gland dysfunction and mood swings such as sudden aggressive behavior, depression and suicidal thoughts. And that’s in adults, never mind a growing body still in development.

But we are discussing the mental development effects here.
Also, I have yet to see studies, reliable ones, that support what you claim either, LT. What I mean is... we need more studies. Some of the side-effects you mention are well documented (aggression, mood swings), some are not (suicidal thoughts and depression, which could be from other sources not the blockers).
But as far as "are those effects reversible?" there are simply not enough studies.

[Lord Thesaurian]

But we are discussing the mental development effects here.
Also, I have yet to see studies, reliable ones, that support what you claim either, LT. What I mean is... we need more studies. Some of the side-effects you mention are well documented (aggression, mood swings), some are not (suicidal thoughts and depression, which could be from other sources not the blockers).
But as far as "are those effects reversible?" there are simply not enough studies.

I haven’t made a claim there, just listed known side effects.

https://www.nicerx.com/blog/lupron-depot-side-effects/

[alhoon]

I haven’t made a claim there, just listed known side effects.

https://www.nicerx.com/blog/lupron-depot-side-effects/

A dear friend of my father, nearly 80 years old, takes something similar for prostate cancer. I wasn't aware it was similar, but he was warned of these side-effects, but he was told they were rare.

[Lord Thesaurian]

A dear friend of my father, nearly 80 years old, takes something similar for prostate cancer. I wasn't aware it was similar, but he was warned of these side-effects, but he was told they were rare.

Reducing testosterone through chemical castration can slow prostate cancer. It might make sense to accept those kind of side effects, given the alternative is worse cancer. For otherwise healthy children, the alternative to chemical castration is…. normal human development.

[Gigantus]

Ehhh, I did.

And my reference is the article that states that more studies are needed before we can claim with sufficient confidence that hormone blockers do not cause permanent effects and that the effects are reversible.
Yes, that part of the study is the author's non-peer reviewed opinion. It is also my opinion.

You assert, and make it your point, that there are claims that blockers do not cause damage. And don't support that assertion. That's what I am referring to.

[mishkin]

Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning
black, tarry stools
bloody or cloudy urine
change in consciousness
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
constipation
convulsions, severe or continuing
dark urine
decreased frequency or amount of urine
diarrhea
difficult breathing
drowsiness
fainting
fast breathing
feeling that something terrible will happen
fever
general tiredness and weakness
greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
headache
heartburn
increased thirst
indigestion
irregular heartbeat
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
lower back or side pain
muscle cramping and weakness
muscle tremors
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
panic
rapid, deep breathing
restlessness
seizures
skin rash
stomach cramps
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right abdominal or stomach
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weakness or heaviness of the legs
weight gain
yellow eyes and skin

Aspirin side effects

[alhoon]

You assert, and make it your point, that there are claims that blockers do not cause damage. And don't support that assertion. That's what I am referring to.

ohhh... I (think I) got you now. So basically you're reminding me that I haven't quoted any article or study that claims that blockers don't cause irreversible changes.
Well, you are right.
It should have been "I think there are such studies, based on the article." Although from skimming the article again I don't find the author saying "there are studies that claim that blockers do not cause permanent mental effects". It could be there, but I didn't find it now.
So, indeed it was not a supported assertion. I will make corrections.

[Lord Thesaurian]

Aspirin side effects

Aspirin isn’t recommended for kids. Lol.

[mishkin]

Aspirin isn’t recommended for kids. Lol.

Aspirin Child Tablet: This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

But we can list all the side effects of any other medication, if you want to continue terrorizing the population.

[Lord Thesaurian]

But we can list all the side effects of any other medication, if you want to continue terrorizing the population.

Why? You brought it up in a poor attempt at whataboutism. From your own link:

“Consult your doctor before giving this drug to a child younger than 12 years.”

Restrictions on aspirin have long been considered in the developed world for anyone under 16-19. You sure that’s the comparison you’re aiming for?

The use of aspirin in children under 12 has been banned in the United Kingdom since 1986, and in April this year the Committee on Safety of Medicines warned that it should also be avoided in children up to 15 if they were feverish.

But at its October meeting the committee concluded that its earlier advice was too complex for products available on general sale. This advice effectively required parents or children to diagnose fever. The committee has now recommended that the warning on aspirin products should read "Do not give to children aged under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor."

In the United States the Food and Drug Administration recommends that aspirin should not be given to children under 19 years of age during episodes of fever.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1169585/