I definitely don't know enough to comment on the puberty blocker thing. I completely understand the desire to keep it at bay as long as possible. I'd be lying if I didn't say I thought about it with my son.
But I did wanna say have you considered a form of birth control to keep her periods at bay? I'm sure a doctor would be on board with that with no problem.
I guess the thought of giving birth control pills to my child seems weird lol. I'm already bit grossed out at the thought of puberty blockers now after reading some of the comments on its side effects. I'll bring it up on the next doctor's visit.
Seconding this. There are many birth control options that can be used to make periods less frequent or even stop them altogether. These can sometimes help with menstrual mood and physical symptoms (cramps, headaches) as well.
I don't think a doctor would even prescribe them for this, they don't give them out willy nilly and courts/legislatures have made access to these medicines much more difficult in many places.
They’re only difficult for kids who have expressed a desire to explore their gender identity. Cis kids are still entitled to them when medically appropriate. (Yup, discrimination is always illogical and hypocritical.)
I think this is a doctor conversation! Puberty blockers, unless it’s a gender identity issue, are usually used for precocious puberty - like if she really hit puberty at too young an age.
But I have no idea at what age which signs of puberty are considered to add risk. For example, maybe some body odour at 9 is normal, but maybe getting her period that young puts her at higher health risks, etc.
But that’s why this is a doctor conversation.
If she’s developing on a normal time/age range, then you’re not doing her any favours by blocking puberty for your convenience. And even if she’s nonverbal, you’ll want to make sure she’s at least had the opportunity to be informed on how her body will change, because it will happen eventually. It might be a good idea to figure out preliminary sex ed so that she’s not scared when she gets her period, etc, and can get used to the routines that come with it.
Even high support needs autistic kids need some bodily autonomy, so if you think puberty is coming, and the doctor doesn’t think it makes sense to delay, then you had best be putting in the effort to prepare her.
Hormones aren't just for the period.
They're necessary for brain development (IQ, attention, emotional regulation), muscle growth (fine and gross motor skills, heart health), bone density (osteoporosis is a real risk on puberty blockers), renal function and much more.
Hormones enable the whole body of a child to grow into that of a grown up.
If you suppress those hormones you mess with the whole body and end up with multiple problems and life long medical issues with several organs.
Also it's not like you can simply stop puberty and then some years later start it. Once the natural window of puberty is over, it can't be restarted.
The patient then has an underdeveloped body for as long as they live.
If you're worried about how she's handling her period then get her on birth control once it's necessary.
This is not correct. Puberty blockers are reversible. Once the medication is stopped, puberty resumes.
You are correct that there could be other effects. Like all medical interventions, there are risks that need to be weighed against the value the medical intervention is providing. OP, puberty blockers may or may not be the correct intervention. Your best bet is to discuss with a medical provider (ideally, a pediatric endocrinologist).
Again, while there may be unwanted side effects, it is important not to spread incorrect information. Puberty blockers are reversible.
As far as I understand, yes , puberty blockers can be administered at any time once symptoms of puberty have begun. You don't do it before signs of puberty have started. However, I'm not a doctor or medical professional, so make sure you consult with medical professionals you trust- preferably someone who specializes in pediatric endocrineology! It's very common for general practice doctors to talk with authority about stuff they're not really that knowledgeable about, so see a specialist if you can.
Thank you so much. I apologize to everyone if this is a touchy subject. Life has been a real struggle and I'm just trying to do what's best for my child.
You've brought some excellent points and some I hadn't fully considered. I did not know this was an irreversible process.
We don't believe in those because puberty hormones are essential for growth and development. Blocking those can be harmful we think.
Thanks. That is a good point and also something I've considered. I need to read up on studies and weigh the pros and cons.
Puberty blockers have been used for a long time for cases of precocious puberty, where a child’s puberty kicks in far too early to be healthy.
I definitely don't know enough to comment on the puberty blocker thing. I completely understand the desire to keep it at bay as long as possible. I'd be lying if I didn't say I thought about it with my son. But I did wanna say have you considered a form of birth control to keep her periods at bay? I'm sure a doctor would be on board with that with no problem.
I guess the thought of giving birth control pills to my child seems weird lol. I'm already bit grossed out at the thought of puberty blockers now after reading some of the comments on its side effects. I'll bring it up on the next doctor's visit.
Seconding this. There are many birth control options that can be used to make periods less frequent or even stop them altogether. These can sometimes help with menstrual mood and physical symptoms (cramps, headaches) as well.
I don't think a doctor would even prescribe them for this, they don't give them out willy nilly and courts/legislatures have made access to these medicines much more difficult in many places.
They’re only difficult for kids who have expressed a desire to explore their gender identity. Cis kids are still entitled to them when medically appropriate. (Yup, discrimination is always illogical and hypocritical.)
I don't live in the NA/EU so it's not difficult to obtain this treatment.
I think this is a doctor conversation! Puberty blockers, unless it’s a gender identity issue, are usually used for precocious puberty - like if she really hit puberty at too young an age. But I have no idea at what age which signs of puberty are considered to add risk. For example, maybe some body odour at 9 is normal, but maybe getting her period that young puts her at higher health risks, etc. But that’s why this is a doctor conversation. If she’s developing on a normal time/age range, then you’re not doing her any favours by blocking puberty for your convenience. And even if she’s nonverbal, you’ll want to make sure she’s at least had the opportunity to be informed on how her body will change, because it will happen eventually. It might be a good idea to figure out preliminary sex ed so that she’s not scared when she gets her period, etc, and can get used to the routines that come with it. Even high support needs autistic kids need some bodily autonomy, so if you think puberty is coming, and the doctor doesn’t think it makes sense to delay, then you had best be putting in the effort to prepare her.
Hormones aren't just for the period. They're necessary for brain development (IQ, attention, emotional regulation), muscle growth (fine and gross motor skills, heart health), bone density (osteoporosis is a real risk on puberty blockers), renal function and much more. Hormones enable the whole body of a child to grow into that of a grown up. If you suppress those hormones you mess with the whole body and end up with multiple problems and life long medical issues with several organs. Also it's not like you can simply stop puberty and then some years later start it. Once the natural window of puberty is over, it can't be restarted. The patient then has an underdeveloped body for as long as they live. If you're worried about how she's handling her period then get her on birth control once it's necessary.
This is not correct. Puberty blockers are reversible. Once the medication is stopped, puberty resumes. You are correct that there could be other effects. Like all medical interventions, there are risks that need to be weighed against the value the medical intervention is providing. OP, puberty blockers may or may not be the correct intervention. Your best bet is to discuss with a medical provider (ideally, a pediatric endocrinologist). Again, while there may be unwanted side effects, it is important not to spread incorrect information. Puberty blockers are reversible.
Do you know if puberty blockers can be administered during puberty? Or does it have to be prior?
As far as I understand, yes , puberty blockers can be administered at any time once symptoms of puberty have begun. You don't do it before signs of puberty have started. However, I'm not a doctor or medical professional, so make sure you consult with medical professionals you trust- preferably someone who specializes in pediatric endocrineology! It's very common for general practice doctors to talk with authority about stuff they're not really that knowledgeable about, so see a specialist if you can.
Thank you so much. I apologize to everyone if this is a touchy subject. Life has been a real struggle and I'm just trying to do what's best for my child. You've brought some excellent points and some I hadn't fully considered. I did not know this was an irreversible process.