Use of Hormone Blockers in Transgender Teenagers: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Hormone blockers are defined as substances that suppress the release of sex hormones, thus inhibiting the development of secondary sexual characteristics in teenagers. There is currently an increase in young people seeking healthcare services due to a mismatch between their birth-assigned gender and their perceived or self-identified gender. In early childhood, individuals are not usually affected by their physical appearance. Dysphoria may arise during the initial stages of adolescence and if the self-perceived gender does not align with the external appearance. This may have a negative impact on adolescents' mental health. Could the use of hormone blockers have a positive effect on mental health? The primary objective of this review is to assess whether the use of hormone blockers can have positive effects on the mental health of transgender youth. The review also seeks to evaluate the usage of hormone blockers and the diagnosis of gender dysphoria. A literature search of scientific evidence was conducted across various databases-PUBMED, CUIDEN, ELSEVIER, COCHRANE, DIMENSIONS, SCIELO, PSYCINFO, and CINAHL-alongside a review of the latest publications in high-impact scientific journals and the gray literature. The following terms were used: <trans people>, <hormone blockers>, <depression>, <anxiety>, <teenagers>, <trans teens>, and <dysphoria>. A time period was specified, covering the last ten years (2014-2024). The initial search identified a total of 290 references, which were subsequently narrowed down to 5 studies, with 1 additional study retrieved through other methods. The literature findings are clear. They show that the use of hormone blockers in transgender adolescents can be beneficial, as a reduction in mental health issues was observed during and after their use. Mental healthcare in transgender teenagers is of crucial importance to their physical, psychological, social, and academic spheres. It is also very important for their families. Nurses must be aware of this knowledge to improve the care provided to these individuals and their families during the difficult time surrounding decisions about the use of hormone blockers.

Keywords: dysphoria; hormone blockers; mental health; nurse; review; transgender teenagers.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of the review process according to the PRISMA statement.