Puberty blocker drugs are prescribed to some children who are experiencing gender dysphoria, to temporarily stop their bodies developing.

The NHS describes gender dysphoria as "a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there's a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity".

The drugs suppress the release of the hormones oestrogen and testosterone, which start being produced in much bigger quantities during puberty.

The hormones tell your body to develop things like breasts, periods, facial hair or a deeper voice.

Suppressing oestrogen and testosterone slows or stops these things developing. The blockers are also used to treat conditions which cause premature puberty in much younger children.

Legal action is being launched against the NHS over the prescribing of the drugs.

Why are they used?

The Gender Identity Development Service (Gids), based in London and Leeds, says that pausing puberty is designed to give a young person with gender dysphoria more time to consider their options - while not having to go through the additional distress of their body changing in a way they do not want.

When someone stops taking blockers, their puberty should resume. Read more via BBC