Turkey Restricts Hormone Therapy Access for Transgender Youth
The Turkish Health Ministry has implemented new restrictions on hormone medications used in gender-affirming care, specifically targeting individuals under the age of 21. The directive, issued through the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, cites the government’s “Year of the Family” campaign and the protection of “cultural and moral values” as justification. The restricted medications include testosterone-based drugs, GnRH analogues, and high-dose estrogen products, although they remain accessible for other medical conditions. This policy change follows an earlier restriction and aligns Turkey with other countries limiting access to hormone replacement therapy, raising concerns among experts about the potential impact on the physical and mental well-being of transgender individuals.
John Q. Hosedrinker