Content
The drugs that delay puberty are substances that influence the functioning of the pituitary gland, preventing the release of LH and FSH, two hormones that are very important for children's sexual development.
Most of the time, these drugs are used in cases of precocious puberty, to delay the process and allow the child to develop at a rate similar to that of children his age.
In addition, these drugs can also be used in cases of gender dysphoria, in which the child is not happy with the gender he was born in, giving him more time to explore his gender before making a drastic and definitive decision such as change of sex.
What medicines are most used
Some of the remedies that can be indicated to delay puberty are:
1. Leuprolide
Leuprolide, also known as leuprorelin, is a synthetic hormone that works by decreasing the body's production of gonadotropin hormone, blocking the function of the ovaries and testicles.
This medicine is administered as an injection once a month, and the dose administered should be proportional to the child's weight.
2. Triptorelin
Triptorelin is a synthetic hormone, with an action similar to leuprolide, which should also be administered monthly.
3. Histrelin
Histrelin also acts by inhibiting the body's production of the gonadotropin hormone, but it is administered as an implant placed under the skin for up to 12 months.
When these medications are stopped, hormone production returns to normal and the puberty process begins quickly.
Learn to identify the symptoms of precocious puberty and see what are the root causes.
How Medicines Work
By inhibiting the gonadotropin hormone by the body, these drugs prevent the pituitary gland from producing two hormones, known as LH and FSH, which are responsible for stimulating testicles in boys to produce testosterone and, in girls, ovaries to produce estrogens:
- Testosterone: is the main male sex hormone, which is produced since approximately 11 years of age, and which has the role of causing hair growth, penis development and changes in the voice;
- Estrogen: it is known as the female hormone that begins to be produced in greater quantity around the age of 10, to stimulate the growth of the breasts, distribute the accumulation of fat, to create a more feminine body shape, and start the menstrual cycle.
Thus, by decreasing the amount of these sex hormones in the body, these drugs are able to delay all the typical changes of puberty, preventing the process from happening.
Possible side effects
As it affects the production of hormones, this type of medication can have some side effects in the body such as causing sudden changes in mood, joint pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, weakness and generalized pain.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team