Drugs that delay puberty are substances that influence the functioning of the pituitary gland, preventing the release of LH and FSH, two hormones very important for children’s sexual development.
Most of the time, these medications are used at early puberty, to delay the process and allow the child to develop at a rate similar to that of children his age.
- In addition.
- These drugs can also be used in cases of gender dysphoria.
- Where the child is dissatisfied with the sex in which he was born.
- Giving him more time to explore his sex before making a drastic and definitive decision such as changing sex.
Some of the remedies that may be indicated to delay puberty include
Leuprolide, also known as leuproreline, is a synthetic hormone that works by decreasing body production of the hormone gonadotropin, blocking the function of the ovaries and testes.
This medicine is given as an injection once a month and the administered dose should be proportional to the weight of the child.
Tryptoreline is a synthetic, leuprolid-like hormone, which should also be administered monthly.
Histreline also works by inhibiting body production of the hormone gonadotropin, but is given as an implant that is placed under the skin for up to 12 months.
When these medications are discontinued, hormone production returns to normal and the puberty process begins quickly.
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By inhibiting the hormone gonadotropin by the body, these drugs prevent the pituitary gland from producing two hormones, called LH and FSH, which are responsible for stimulating the testes in boys to produce testosterone and, in girls, the ovaries to produce estrogen:
Therefore, by decreasing the amount of these sex hormones in the body, these medications can delay all typical changes in puberty, thus preventing the process from occurring.
As it affects hormone production, this type of medication can have side effects on the body, such as sudden mood swings, joint pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, weakness and generalized pain.