What is the Origin of Puberty Suppression?

The practice of puberty suppression originated in pediatric endocrinology as a treatment for central precocious puberty, where children experience premature onset of sexual development. The application of GnRH agonists to delay puberty in the context of gender dysphoria is a more recent clinical development, stemming from the understanding of the HPG axis.

What is the Mechanism of Puberty Suppression?

The mechanism relies on the principle of receptor desensitization. Continuous administration of a GnRH agonist initially stimulates the pituitary but then paradoxically down-regulates the GnRH receptors due to constant exposure. This effectively blocks the pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are the primary signals to the gonads to produce sex steroids, thereby achieving hormonal suppression.

Puberty Suppression ∞ Area

Puberty Suppression

Meaning

Puberty Suppression is a reversible medical intervention utilizing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to temporarily halt the secretion of sex steroids and prevent the progression of secondary sexual characteristics. This treatment is clinically employed in cases of precocious puberty or as an initial, reversible step in gender-affirming care for adolescents. The intervention provides a critical period for decision-making by pausing somatic changes driven by endogenous sex hormones.