Ontario hospital allows children to take puberty blockers before first assessment

The London Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital Gender Pathways Service said it allows minors to take puberty blockers in advance of their initial appointments.

“Given the distress that can be associated with Gender Dysphoria, we have also included information on puberty blockers that can be started prior to their initial appointment,” said the Gender Pathways team in a letter revealed on Tuesday.

The Gender Pathways team said it is taking this measure because of the lengthy wait times to be assessed for gender dysphoria.

“Given the distress that can be associated with Gender Dysphoria, we have also included information on puberty blockers that can be started prior to their initial appointment. We have included a Lupron Depot® Information sheet.”

Children’s Hospital, London, Ontario. pic.twitter.com/igjZ6yIzh8

— Ray Blanchard (@BlanchardPhD) August 2, 2022

It is recommended by the service gender dysphoric youth take 7.5 milligrams of lupron every four weeks. Patients are advised to have 1000 units of vitamin D per day.

Gender Pathways said it is important patients maintain their injection cycle. If a patient is unable to attend an appointment after four weeks, the injection should be moved ahead to prevent rising hormone levels.

pic.twitter.com/zcgauVzSPd

— David Pasko_OCT (@DavidPasko_OCT) August 2, 2022

Hormones could be released after the first injection, said the service. After the second injection, it said hormone production will shut down.

About 5% of patients experience a sterile abscess at the injection site. Young patients might end up going through menopause.

Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay said he was concerned about this ordeal.

“It’s time to get the lawyers involved,” said Kay.

Hormones could be released after the first injection, said the service. After the second injection, it said hormone production will shut down.

About 5% of patients experience a sterile abscess at the injection site. Young patients might end up going through menopause.

Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay said he was concerned about this ordeal.

“It’s time to get the lawyers involved,” said Kay.

It's time to get the lawyers involved https://t.co/uh1PNwklP1

— Jonathan Kay (@jonkay) August 3, 2022

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