Puberty blocker for children considering sex change

The Telegraph ^ | April 15, 2011 | Richard Alleyne

[Free ThinkerNY]

Children as young as 12 are to be allowed drugs to block puberty while they decide whether to have a sex change, it has been revealed.

The monthly injection suspends the onset of adulthood so that young people confused about their gender can be sure of any decision before they take on too many masculine or feminine features.

Supporters say that the "window" prevents a great deal of mental and physical anguish caused by the maturing of sex organs, facial hair growth and changes in the voice.

But critics argue it only prolongs the agony and can prevent people "growing out" of any feelings of confusion.

The treatment can be prescribed for people diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder (GID) – a rare psychiatric condition where a person is born one sex, but feels they are the other.

One of the main effects of the drugs is to stunt the development of sexual organs so less surgery will be required if someone chooses to permanently change their gender at a later date.

However, bodily and hormonal changes will continue as normal if the medication is stopped.

Until this month, British doctors were prevented from offering youngsters diagnosed with gender issues any medical intervention before the late stages of puberty usually at 16.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

I was just stating that some children are born with ambiguous sex organs....don't yap at me about it. I didn't invent it.

Yes, but can't you see that this is a "sexual abnormality"-bashing thread? Stay on topic! And be afraid, very afraid./sarc

[goat granny]

Don’t know how to be afraid, never learned unless its some animal that thinks I am lunch...:O)

[MacMattico]

But what if the ONSET of puberty and the hormones produced thereof are exactly what the child needs in order to be able to “identify” with their god given gender/sex? Yes there are a very small number that as adults choose or say they are transsexual. Ok, your an adult, leave me alone and dress in women's clothes if that's what floats your boat. But lay off the 12 year olds! It is true there are many boys and girls at 12 that may seem more “boyish” or “girlish” than others, but almost all of them turn out as normal, heterosexual adults. If a 12 year old is having a “gender identity” crisis who put this idea in their head and then tells them they need to delay puberty? What does the kid know? It must be hard enough to be a 12 year old boy or girl that is confused about gender issues, they need counseling not forcibly delayed puberty! That just adds more issues the kid needs to work through!

[rawcatslyentist]

Children trying to decide/change what G_d has already done.

End times indeed!

[JimRed]

Gender identity disorder? Treat it as what it is- a mental illness.

[ExCTCitizen]

Did anyone read that case study the Telegraph is promoting??? Oh well, I can’t say much on this, because my nephew is asking his mom for girl’s stuff. His mom is a single mom and he likes to do guy things with me and his brother (I take them out camping and hiking and guy stuff) but he calls himself a tom boy. I tell him that GOD made him perfect!!

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!