Puberty Suppression: What, When, and How?
Workshop Description
Trans youth have been presenting for medical care at increasingly younger ages over the past decade. Making the decision to suppress a gender-nonconforming child’s biological puberty with “blockers” is complicated, and there is little consensus among medical providers about when, how, and for how long. Presented by Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, this workshop will cover the basics of puberty suppression, including how puberty blockers function; indications for their use; potential benefits and side effects; and key elements of decision-making around suppression of puberty. Dr. Olson-Kennedy will also review the current research data surrounding the impact of puberty suppression, including observations from her own research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Conference Track
Family
Primary Contact
Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD
Workshop Presenters
Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD
Presenter Bio
Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD, specializes in the care of gender-nonconforming children and transgender youth. Board certified in pediatrics and adolescent medicine, Dr. Olson-Kennedy has been providing medical intervention for transgender youth and young for the past 11 years, and is considered a national expert in this area. The medical director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, the largest transgender youth clinic in the United States, she also spearheads a rigorous research program that seeks to understand the trans experience from childhood through early adulthood. Dr. Olson-Kennedy has appeared frequently on national television, and spoken all over the country to educate providers, parents, and other communities about the needs of transgender youth.