June 2020
Finland Prioritises Psychotherapy Over Puberty Blockers for Youth
Health International Trans
The Finnish Health Authority issued new national guidelines designating psychotherapy and psychosocial support, rather than puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, as the first-line treatment for gender-dysphoric minors. Following a systematic evidence review that found the evidence base for paediatric medical transition to be inconclusive, hormonal treatment was reserved for case-by-case assessment in centralised clinics.
Impact & Significance
Finland became the first country to formally move away from the Dutch Protocol approach, setting a precedent that Sweden, Norway, and Denmark would follow in subsequent years.
Reference Record
- Date
- June 2020
- Era
- 2020-present
- Sources
- 3
Editorially reviewed — reviewed · last reviewed 2026-08-12.
Related Events
2006 Dutch Protocol for Treating Gender Dysphoria Published 2021 Sweden's Karolinska Hospital Ends Puberty Blockers for Minors Outside Research 2022 Sweden Restricts Puberty Blockers to Research Settings Nationally 2023 Norway Declares Youth Gender Treatments Experimental 2023 Denmark Restricts Puberty Blockers to Childhood-Onset Cases
Sources
Alaikäisten sukupuoli-identiteetin variaatioihin liittyvän dysforian lääketieteelliset hoitomenetelmät government Palveluvalikoimaneuvosto (COHERE Finland — Council for Choices in Health Care in Finland) descriptiondate palveluvalikoima.fi legacy reference palveluvalikoima.fi segm.org legacy reference segm.org
