Health Ministry Defends Age Limits for Hormone Therapy Access

Ministry Policy on Hormone Access

The Turkish Ministry of Health has officially confirmed the implementation of a 21-year age threshold for individuals seeking hormone therapy as part of gender-affirming care. Officials stated that the primary objective behind this measure is to uphold traditional family structures and counter what the ministry describes as gender-neutralization initiatives.

Under these new regulations, medical professionals are prohibited from prescribing testosterone, GnRH analogs, and high-dosage estrogen to patients under the age of 21. The ministry maintains that this policy is necessary to ensure patient safety, though it has not provided specific clinical data to support the age-based cutoff.

E-Prescription System Restrictions

Since February 2026, the national e-prescription platform has blocked transactions associated with the F64 diagnostic code, which is used for gender identity disorders. Despite inquiries, the ministry has declined to disclose the specific legal or administrative framework authorizing this digital blockade.

A formal complaint regarding these system limitations was submitted to the Ombudsman Institution. The case was subsequently closed following a "friendly resolution" process, though the ministry’s response did not clarify the technical basis for the ongoing restrictions within the electronic health system.

Broader Implications and Uncertainties

Advocacy groups have expressed significant concern regarding the intersection of family policy and individual healthcare access. Critics argue that restricting medical services for adults over 18 based on social policy creates a barrier to essential care and lacks a transparent legal foundation.

The long-term impact of these restrictions on patient health outcomes remains an area of uncertainty. While the ministry emphasizes its protective mandate, the lack of public documentation regarding the F64 code block continues to be a point of contention for medical professionals and civil society organizations seeking clarity on healthcare regulations.