Study Finds Puberty Blockers Do Not Impair Sexual Functioning in Transgender Adults
A new study shows that puberty blockers do not impair sexual functioning in transgender adults, providing reassurance for their long-term sexual health. The research highlights satisfaction levels and minor sexual difficulties, emphasizing the importance of holistic support and counseling.
Recent research indicates that puberty blockers, used during adolescence to delay puberty in transgender youth, do not negatively impact sexual functioning later in life. The study, conducted by Amsterdam UMC, involved 70 transgender adults who had started treatment with puberty blockers followed by gender-affirming hormones. On average, participants were assessed 14 years after beginning treatment.
The findings revealed that more than half of trans men and 40% of trans women reported satisfaction with their sexual lives, comparable to cisgender populations. Most participants experienced no significant issues with desire, arousal, or reaching orgasm. Among those who did experience sexual difficulties, the most common problem for trans men was initiating sexual activity, while reaching orgasm was frequently reported among trans women.
Importantly, these sexual problems were generally only mildly stressful and aligned with previous studies on transgender adults who began hormone therapy as adults. The study emphasizes that these outcomes can help healthcare providers confidently counsel transgender youth considering puberty blockers, offering reassurance about long-term sexual health.
Van der Meulen from Amsterdam UMC highlights that these results provide valuable insights for informing young people about what to expect sexually in the future, while also recognizing that sexual experiences are complex and influenced by psychosocial factors. The study suggests that psychosocial aspects like difficulties in initiating sexual contact are not directly related to physical effects of hormone treatments, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive counseling.
This research, published in the boratory of Sexual Medicine & Research,
enhances understanding of the long-term effects of puberty suppression and supports the safe use of these treatments in transgender healthcare.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-puberty-blockers-problems-sexual-functioning.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Understanding the New Wave of Blockbuster Weight-Loss Medications
Discover how new weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are transforming obesity treatment, offering effective results and unique challenges amid ongoing research and development.
Study Links Children's Social Care Involvement to Increased Risk of Maternal Death During Perinatal Period in the UK
A recent study links involvement of children's social care services to increased risks of psychiatric causes, overdose, and maternal death during the perinatal period in the UK, highlighting urgent needs for care system reform.
Study Shows Doubling in In-Home Gun Homicides Among Children Since 2010
A new UCLA-led study reveals that in-home firearm homicides of children have more than doubled since 2010, highlighting the urgent need for targeted prevention efforts to protect vulnerable youth.
Impact of Food Insecurity and Social Factors on Stroke Recovery and Survival
Social factors like food insecurity, neighborhood conditions, and social support networks significantly impact stroke recovery and survival, revealing complex relationships that demand targeted healthcare strategies.