Brazilian Experts Raise Alarm Over Threats to Transgender Healthcare Rights

Recent policy changes in Brazil are raising serious concerns among healthcare professionals and researchers regarding the future of transgender health services in the country. These setbacks are largely due to new regulations introduced by the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) that restrict vital medical procedures for transgender youth. The resolution No. 2,427, enacted in April, bans the use of hormone blockers in minors under 18, raises the age for initiating cross-sex hormone therapy from 16 to 18, and prohibits gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 21.

These measures also hinder scientific research in gender-affirming treatments, which could jeopardize the development of evidence-based protocols. Previously, the CFM's resolution No. 2,265 from 2020 permitted the clinical use of hormone blockers, which are crucial for the psychological well-being and physical development of transgender adolescents. Data from this earlier guideline indicated that adverse effects were rare, with a low rate of detransition and high satisfaction among patients.

Brazilian researchers emphasize that these restrictions pose risks such as increased depression, social isolation, and suicide among transgender youth, who already face social stigma and limited access to specialized care. The new regulations have also raised fears of driving young transgender individuals toward untrained practitioners or self-medication, which could have serious health consequences.

In response, professional bodies and the scientific community are calling for policies grounded in evidence and ethical considerations. Experts highlight that gender identity is a natural human variation, not a disorder, and affirm the importance of youth participation in healthcare decisions according to the principle of progressive autonomy enshrined in the Statute of the Child and Adolescent.

Brazil’s pioneering clinic, AMTIGOS, located at the University of São Paulo, exemplifies best practices by providing multidisciplinary care for transgender youth and their families. Leading health authorities in other countries, like Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the UK, have recently adopted more cautious approaches, reflecting the need for further research.

Researchers maintain that restricting access to proven treatments contradicts the core principle of medical ethics and violates human rights. They advocate for science-based policies that ensure safe, effective, and ethical care for transgender individuals, emphasizing that rollback measures threaten decades of progress toward health equity. Support from medical societies, researchers, and civil society remains critical in safeguarding the health and rights of transgender populations in Brazil and beyond.