Brazil’s National Health System Authorized to Perform Sex Change Surgery

By Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Health formally authorized the Unified Health System (SUS) to perform “sexual reassignment” surgery and treatment for transgender men — who were born biologically female but identify with the male gender. Ordinance No. 1,370, allowing the procedures, was published on Monday, June 24th, in the Federal Gazette.

According to the resolution, treatment was included in the table of procedures, drugs, orthoses, prosthesis, and special SUS materials. Sexual reassignment for trans males consists of vaginectomy and metoidioplasty and may only be performed experimentally. Both procedures will require a judicial decision for patients between 21 and 75 years of age.

Vaginectomy is a medical procedure that removes all or part of the vagina, typically used for treating vaginal cancer or for sexual reassignment. Metoidioplasty is a hormonal treatment using testosterone to enlarge the clitoris and bring it closer to the shape of a penis.

The Ordinance was signed by the Executive Secretary of Health João Gabbardo dos Reis. In August 2008, SUS began to perform sexual reassignment surgeries for transgender women. Two years earlier, SUS granted the right to use a social name, which transvestites and transgender people choose to be called, through the Charter of the Rights of Health Users.