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Yes.
Puberty blockers are doctor-prescribed medications that block sex hormones that develop secondary sex characteristics such as breasts or body hair. Puberty resumes normally after stopping the medication.
Puberty blockers, according to Mayo Clinic, “don’t cause permanent physical changes. Instead, they pause puberty.”
Blockers allow trans children to avoid distress that can accompany development of physical characteristics at odds with their gender identity. Blockers also are prescribed to cisgender children to delay onset of early puberty.
On Oct. 27, 2023, Republican Wisconsin state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, who represents part of suburban Milwaukee, shared a tweet that claimed puberty blockers are not reversible.
The state Legislature in October approved a bill that would ban gender-affirming treatment, including puberty blockers, for minors.
Republican sponsors said they want to “protect children from being subjected to invasive and irreversible medical interventions.”
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has pledged a veto.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin Watch: Gender-affirming care in Wisconsin: What you need to know
Mayo Clinic: Puberty blockers for transgender and gender-diverse youth
Wisconsin State Legislature: 2023 Assembly Bill 465
Wisconsin State Legislature: Wisconsin Legislature: AB465: Text as Enrolled
WisPolitics: Sen. Streobel: Legislation to protect children from irreversible medical interventions passes senate
Wisconsin Watch: Wisconsin Senate passes gender-affirming care ban; Assembly OKs Brewers stadium deal
Cedars-Sinai: Puberty Blockers: What You Should Know
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