Thread by @DadTrans

1 year of puberty for a trans girl = voice breaking
2 years of puberty for a trans boy = start of period & breast growth
4 years of puberty for a trans girl = facial hair.
The biggest areas of dysphoria for trans adolescents are avoidable with safe reversible puberty blockers.

The majority of trans adolescents who want to access puberty blockers & would benefit from them, are prevented in doing so due to 2 year + waiting list followed by a minimum 6 month assessment period. This removes individual choice & body autonomy & can lead to long term harm.

Over and over again I hear from trans women that hair is their largest source of dysphoria and its removal their largest cost in terms of time & money. On cost see dazeddigital.com/beauty/body/ar… by @junodawson. Give trans youth the choice to decide if blockers are right for them.

@junodawson It's typical for puberty to begin at any point from the ages of 8 to 14. At the younger end of this age range, trans adolescents will require support from those around them in making an informed decision on whether to block puberty. Letting puberty progress is not a neutral act.

@junodawson All trans adolescents should be able to access puberty blockers if right for them. Not just those with parental support, not just the neurotypical, not just the abled, not just the binary, not just the white ones (e.g. evidence is that black youth typically start puberty earlier)

@junodawson Most significantly, not just those with the means. Currently the only reliable way for UK trans adolescents to access puberty blockers without years of stigmatising gatekeeping is by seeking private treatment internationally. This is beyond the finances of most 8-14 year olds.

@junodawson For those thinking 8 years old is too young for puberty blockers, if a child is 7 or younger & cis (ie not transgender), they will likely be prescribed puberty blockers by their GP as standard to delay precocious puberty. The same medication has been used for the past 40 years.

@junodawson interesting article on the impact of precocious puberty thecut.com/2019/01/precoc…