Ishita Roy

How Often 'Or Not' Is Hormone Therapy Prescribed?

Hormone Therapy

Only .1% children, aged between 8 and 17 who identify as <span>transgender</span> or gender-diverse are prescribed gender-afforming hormones or puberty blockers as per the study done by researchers at the Harvard University and FOLX Health, a healthcare provider for the LGBTQ+ community. This report was published in the JAMA Pediatrics, which analyzed 5 million private insurance claims filed between 2018 and 2022. 

This is onset of the public uproar over teenagers and children changing their genders, transgender teenagers and children rarely getting the prescribed gender-affirming medication. The lead author Landon Hughes, a postdoctoral fellow at the university's school of public health said, "The politicization of gender-affirming care for transgender youth has been driven by a narrative that millions of children are using hormones and that this type of care is too freely given. Our findings reveal that is not the case."

The findings also highlighted that no patients under 12 had received the gender-affirming hormones and higher rates of puberty blockers were prescribed for patients assigned female at birth. 

This happens mostly in the condition called the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/what-is-dsd-rare-biological-condition-behind-imane-khelifs-olympic-boxing-controversy-explained-article-151070355" data-type="tilCustomLink">5-Alpha Reductace Deficiency</a>. When the baby is in the fetus, the genital areas of both males and females remain the same. During the development of the genital, in such cases, the phallus does not full elongate and resembles something in between a clitoris and a penis head. The scrotum also remains split in two and urethral opening remains on the underside of the penis. The genetalia does not look male or female, however, due to non-fusion of the scrotum and urethral opening, the child is often assigned female at birth. Which could be one of the reasons why higher rates of puberty blockers were prescribed for patients assigned female at birth.

About 3.3% of US high school students identify as transgenders and an additional 2.2% have questioned if they were at the same point, as per the latest annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Puberty blockers which were originally approved for children whose sexual development occurs too soon are now prescribed to delay the onset of puberty or to pause for those who do not identify with their assigned birth. These are called GnRH agonists, which stops the body from making hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen.

In individuals assigned male at birth, it slows down the growth of facial and body hairs and also prevents voice deepening and limits the growth of sex organs. Whereas in individual assigned female at birth, it limits breast development and stops menstruation.

Delaying puberty in transgender allows them more time to explore and integrate their identity. This is also helpful for those who experience <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/explained-after-uk-scotland-too-bans-puberty-blockers-for-under-18-know-what-it-means-article-151106497" data-type="tilCustomLink">gender dysphoria</a>. It is a condition that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. As per the National Health Service (NHS) UK, "Most people identify as "male" or "female". These are sometimes called "binary" identities. However, some people feel their gender identity is different from their biological sex. For example, some people may have male genitals and facial hair but do not identify as a male or feel masculine."

Health Conditions A-Z

health

puberty blocker

5 alpha reductace deficiency

transgender

reproductive health

womens health

mens health

trans health

hromones

hormone therapy

Having Trouble Quitting Smoking? Cigarettes With Low Nicotine Levels Could Be The Solution

Aging US Population At High Risk Of Dementia, Cases Expected To Double By 2060

What’s Making Me Sick- Cold, Flu, Norovirus Or COVID-19?

Health & Wellness

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

10 Protein-Rich Breakfast Dishes To Try

10 Signs Your Heart Is Healthy

10 Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

10 Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

10 Exercise To Improve Grip Strength

10 Staple Foods To Make Eating Healthy Easier

10 Foods You Should Eat If You Are Weight-Training

10 Basics Rules Of Weight Training

10 Ways To Deal With Winter Dry Skin

Workout Week: 10 Back Exercises To Do At Gym

10 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Winter

10 Morning Habits That Can Make You Sick

10 Superfood To Help You Build Immunity

10 Cardio Exercises To Lose Belly Fat

10 Benefits Of Morning Runs

10 Intermittent Fasting Mistakes People Make

10 Toxic Morning Habits To Quit

10 Natural Ways To You Deal With Winter Dryness

10 Reasons Why Pickles Are Good For Winters

10 Healthy Custard Apple Recipes

10 Fun Activities To Build Your Kid’s Strength

10 Benefits Of Fenugreek Leaves

10 Exercises To Target Your Glutes

Only .1% children, aged between 8 and 17 who identify as transgender or gender-diverse are prescribed gender-afforming hormones or puberty blockers as per the study done by researchers at the Harvard University and FOLX Health, a healthcare provider for the LGBTQ+ community. This report was published in the JAMA Pediatrics, which analyzed 5 million private insurance claims filed between 2018 and 2022. This is onset of the public uproar over teenagers and children changing their genders, transgender teenagers and children rarely getting the prescribed gender-affirming medication. The lead author Landon Hughes, a postdoctoral fellow at the university's school of public health said, "The politicization of gender-affirming care for transgender youth has been driven by a narrative that millions of children are using hormones and that this type of care is too freely given. Our findings reveal that is not the case."What do the findings mean?The findings also highlighted that no patients under 12 had received the gender-affirming hormones and higher rates of puberty blockers were prescribed for patients assigned female at birth. Why is that the case?This happens mostly in the condition called the 5-Alpha Reductace Deficiency. When the baby is in the fetus, the genital areas of both males and females remain the same. During the development of the genital, in such cases, the phallus does not full elongate and resembles something in between a clitoris and a penis head. The scrotum also remains split in two and urethral opening remains on the underside of the penis. The genetalia does not look male or female, however, due to non-fusion of the scrotum and urethral opening, the child is often assigned female at birth. Which could be one of the reasons why higher rates of puberty blockers were prescribed for patients assigned female at birth.What the data says?About 3.3% of US high school students identify as transgenders and an additional 2.2% have questioned if they were at the same point, as per the latest annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What do puberty blockers do?Puberty blockers which were originally approved for children whose sexual development occurs too soon are now prescribed to delay the onset of puberty or to pause for those who do not identify with their assigned birth. These are called GnRH agonists, which stops the body from making hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen.In individuals assigned male at birth, it slows down the growth of facial and body hairs and also prevents voice deepening and limits the growth of sex organs. Whereas in individual assigned female at birth, it limits breast development and stops menstruation.Delaying puberty in transgender allows them more time to explore and integrate their identity. This is also helpful for those who experience gender dysphoria. It is a condition that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. As per the National Health Service (NHS) UK, "Most people identify as "male" or "female". These are sometimes called "binary" identities. However, some people feel their gender identity is different from their biological sex. For example, some people may have male genitals and facial hair but do not identify as a male or feel masculine."