Text | Xian Xian
The first time I heard about spironolactone tablets, progesterone, and estradiol valerate tablets, many might not know what they are. However, their actual function is to supplement female hormones and to treat anxiety during women’s menopause. In plain terms, they address issues specifically for women, particularly middle-aged women. But can you imagine a teenager taking these medications?
Recently, Mr. Wang from Zhejiang reported to the relevant authorities that some local pharmacies were selling these medications to his 13-year-old son for profit. The financial aspect was minor; the more serious issue was that the actions of these pharmacies ruined his son’s life.
Mr. Wang’s son, Wang Tuo (a pseudonym), is only 13 years old and currently in the first year of junior high. Recently, a teacher from the school called Mr. Wang to express concerns that Wang Tuo was exhibiting some unusual behavior. He was reluctant to go to the bathroom, and many “strange” medications were found in his backpack. The young teacher, unfamiliar with them, only discovered after checking his phone that these tablets were actually female hormone medications.
This surprised Mr. Wang: “I usually work long hours, and my child lives at school, so I have limited opportunities to check in. I never knew he was taking medication, so I immediately asked him, and the result was devastating.”
It turned out that after turning 13, Wang Tuo’s body suddenly began to develop, especially concerning male hair growth and the characteristics of masculinity, which he found extremely difficult to adapt to. Logically, both boys and girls would experience some psychological changes in this context, but over time, they would gradually adjust. Wang Tuo, however, did not.
Wang Tuo then searched on his phone for “how to suppress these changes” and came across these medications. He took cash to the pharmacy to make purchases. Mr. Wang said, “My son visited many pharmacies to buy these medications, but I never imagined they would sell them to him directly. Even when we buy cold medicine, we need adult verification. How could these pharmacies do this just to make a little money?”
According to Wang Tuo, he started taking these medications to suppress male hormones in July, and it wasn’t until November that Mr. Wang found out. A full 4-month history of medication not only led to Wang Tuo developing a dependency, but it also significantly retarded his primary sexual characteristics.
Hospital examination reports reveal: “… after taking the medication for half a year, development was affected, testicles shrank, and voice became feminized…” This is no longer the development result that a boy should have.
At the same time, Wang Tuo developed severe psychological issues; his aversion to using the boys’ restroom illustrated this. He became irritable, prone to self-harm, and his studies deteriorated sharply, forcing his parents to bring him home. Mr. Wang and his wife had to take leave to care for their son.
However, Mr. Wang believes his son’s actions could have been entirely avoided because, based on his child’s statement, he went to buy these medications while still in his school uniform. Yet these pharmacies did nothing to stop him or address his requests. Furthermore, Wang Tuo used cash, leaving no evidence of the transactions.
Mr. Wang said, “I asked each pharmacy, but only one admitted to selling these medications to my son, and all the businesses refused to compensate. I can’t understand why they would harm others and remain so unrepentant!”
Afterward, Mr. Wang complained to all the pharmacies, hoping to seek justice for himself and his son.
I remember watching a movie called “Puberty” in my childhood, and I can relate deeply to the confusions and troubles of adolescence, feeling lost due to ignorance while teachers and parents shy away from explaining such issues, which made adolescence blurry and enigmatic.
However, as I mentioned earlier, children generally choose to forget when they realize they are powerless, gradually growing accustomed to this realization and reconciling with themselves, but they never choose to resist growth in such a way, which is the root cause of all tragedies.
Therefore, aside from the child’s age, is the critical issue really the irresponsibility of the pharmacies? I don’t think so, but rather the inaction of Mr. Wang and his wife.
While it’s certainly wrong for pharmacies to sell hormone medications to children, the child’s repression of his confusion and misunderstanding—choosing not to ask his parents and attempting to solve the problem on his own—illustrates the irresponsibility of the parents.
As guardians and friends of their children, parents should provide supervision and protection, as well as understanding and tolerance. Wang Tuo took medication from July until November; wouldn’t the parents noticing this be…?
