Kids are taking aromatase inhibitors to grow taller during puberty, but whether this is a good idea deserves some unpacking. Growth stops mainly because of estradiol, a hormone created when testosterone undergoes aromatization. Estradiol activates chondrocyte proliferation in the growth plates, which triggers epiphyseal plate fusion—basically turning the growth plates into hardened bone and capping your final height. Aromatase inhibitors like Aromasin can block estradiol, while Arimidex and letrozole are alternatives, though those tend to crash estradiol levels dangerously low. Estradiol is crucial for brain health, cognition, bone density, libido, and many other biological processes. If blood levels drop below about 15 picograms per deciliter, the risk of permanent brain damage and long-term bone issues becomes real. The only way to attempt something like this with any degree of safety is to monitor blood work consistently; without tracking essential hormones such as testosterone, DHT, estradiol, and progesterone, taking exogenous hormones can cause serious harm. Height maximization with aromatase inhibitors can work, but whether it’s worth the potential risks is a different question.
