Teenagers who identify as transgender taking powerful ‘puberty blocker’ drugs ‘may suffer from weaker bones in the future’

  • Those who naturally went through puberty late have less dense bones by 25
  • Could put them at greater risk of developing osteoporosis in their later years
  • Study by Bristol University researchers looked at 6,389 people born in Bristol
  • At least 800 children have had blockers from NHS which halt some development

By Stephen Adams Health Correspondent For The Mail On Sunday

Published: | Updated:

Teenagers who identify as transgender and take powerful ‘puberty blocker’ drugs may suffer from weaker bones in the future, a new study suggests.

Many doctors believe the drugs are safe, saying they do nothing more than ‘pause’ puberty.

But the study of nearly 6,500 young adults found that those who naturally went through puberty late have less dense bones by the age of 25. This makes them more prone to fracture and could put them at greater risk of osteoporosis in later life.

The study by Bristol University researchers, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, is the largest of its kind.

But the study of nearly 6,500 young adults found that those who naturally went through puberty late have less dense bones by the age of 25 (file picture)

But the study of nearly 6,500 young adults found that those who naturally went through puberty late have less dense bones by the age of 25 (file picture)

Last night, Stephanie Davies-Arai of campaign group Transgender Trend, said: ‘This study adds to concerns that blocking puberty may cause long-term damage to children. Puberty is a crucial window for strengthening of bones. If that window is missed – and puberty does not occur at the right time – then we don’t know what the long-term effects will be.’

She added: ‘We are potentially setting up massive health problems for these children in later life. Clinicians working with gender dysphoric children need to take this into account.’

The study looked at 6,389 people born in the Bristol area in 1991 and 1992 and closely followed their lives in a ‘Children of the 90s’ study. All have had their height measured regularly and had X-ray scans to gauge bone mass density.

While later-developing youngsters put on bone mass quickly once they hit puberty, by 25 their bones were still not as strong as their earlier-developing peers.

Stephanie Davies-Arai of campaign group Transgender Trend, said the 'study adds to concerns that blocking puberty may cause long-term damage to children' (file picture)

Stephanie Davies-Arai of campaign group Transgender Trend, said the 'study adds to concerns that blocking puberty may cause long-term damage to children' (file picture)

Researchers wrote: ‘Our findings suggest that adolescents who mature later may be at higher risk of fractures throughout adolescence… Those with older pubertal age could also be at increased risk of osteoporosis in later life.’

Lead author Dr Ahmed Elhakeem, an epidemiologist, stressed the study did not include children on puberty blockers and so did not examine the drugs’ potential effects.

However, he said other studies also pointed to the likelihood that delayed puberty permanently affected bones.

‘There is evidence that those with pathologically delayed or absent puberty can present with decreased bone mass,’ he said.

‘This is similar to the findings in our study of healthy children. Therefore it is possible that puberty-blocking drugs would have negative effects on bone strength.’

The NHS has given at least 800 children the blockers, which halt the development of sex organs, breasts and body hair.

A spokesman for the Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Studies have shown that trans people who had the blocker as children demonstrate a recovery in bone calcium.

‘Other studies, particularly in adult trans men, show that bone density increases above the expected range. We discuss the effects of the puberty blocker with all young people who are considering them.’

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