Puberty Blockers
Puberty blockers and trans youth
Puberty blockers, also known as hormone blockers, are gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues and have been safely used for decades to treat gender dysphoria in young people. They are also used to delay puberty for children experiencing precocious puberty.
These medications temporarily pause the physical changes of puberty, giving trans youth time to explore their gender identity without the additional distress of unwanted bodily changes.
Legal access to puberty blockers for UK trans youth
As of 1st January 2025 the prescribing, supply, and administration of GnRH analogue puberty blockers was severely restricted in the UK and Northern Ireland with the issuing of the Medicines (Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogues) (Restrictions on Private Sales and Supplies) Order 2024.
In anticipation of the puberty blocker ban, Anne Health took legal advice and has built a fully legally compliant process. This process ensures trans youth and their parents/carers in the UK can obtain puberty blockers using EU-registered medical professionals and services safely, legally, and with full medical oversight.
You can read more about the legal advice in accessing puberty blockers, legal exceptions, and how to ensure legal compliance here.
Who can get puberty blockers from Anne Health?
Anne Health follows international best practices outlined by WPATH SOC 8, adopting a "stage, not age" approach to gender-affirming care. This ensures that healthcare and medications are provided based on an individual’s pubertal development and Gillick competence, rather than their age.
Puberty blockers are prescribed only when a young person has reached Tanner Stage 2 of pubertal development, which is confirmed through an IV blood test. Anne Health includes access to IV blood tests as part of the Youth Membership, with an option to purchase them separately for members on the Pre-Medical Membership.
The process of getting puberty blockers.
Parents/carers with a trans child under the age of 18 can sign up for a Youth Membership with Anne Health.
This includes a comprehensive intake process with a member of the Anne Health therapeutic team, followed by referral to an EU endocrinologist with over two decades of experience in supporting the trans community, who will prescribe puberty blockers if appropriate.
Anne Health has secured a legal route via other EU countries to obtain GnRH analogue blockers:
Prescription
A qualified EU endocrinologist prescribes the medication, if appropriate, in the form of a 6-monthly injection.Payment
The prescription is then sent to a reputable EU provider, who will liaise directly with the patient to arrange payment for medication* and an appointment at the clinic.Pick up
The parent/carer and the young person must then travel* to collect the medication, and the injection is administered abroad by a qualified medical clinician.
* Note: Anne Membership does not include the cost of medication or travel
How we support families through the process
Anne Health supports young trans+ people and their families to access gender-affirming care. This includes connecting members with a qualified endocrinologist and supportive EU medication suppliers and clinics who can administer puberty blockers.
✅ 6 monthly puberty blockers
While GnRH agonist hormone blockers are available in a variety of different formats, the 6-monthly injectable puberty blockers reduce the need for families to travel out of the UK to receive treatment.
✅ #AskAnne Helpline
Anne Health gives individual assistance to all of our members via email and through our helpline - via the phone or webchat - to answer any questions about navigating the gender transition journey.
✅ Counselling & Therapy
We also provide counselling and therapy support for young trans people and their family members, if required, as an additional service.