FTC sues global ‘transgender’ health group over deceptive claims on pediatric care

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is pursuing legal action against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), alleging the organization provided medical providers the means to make false and unsubstantiated claims to parents about “gender-transition” services for children.

The complaint alleges WPATH violated the FTC Act by misleading parents and children about the medical consensus, medical necessity, safety, and effectiveness of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries for minors.

"Children, but especially their parents, must have complete and truthful information when making decisions to purchase medical services,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said.

In 2022, WPATH removed all age limitations for breast amputation and genital surgery from its Standards of Care document without medical evidence to support the decision, according to FTC. The complaint also alleges WPATH failed to disclose side effects of cross-sex hormones, which include mood disturbances, vocal pain and limitations, pelvic pain, clitoral discomfort, vaginal pain, inability to orgasm, incontinence, and erectile pain.

The complaint further alleges that clinicians asked parents whether they "would rather have a live daughter or a dead son." WPATH claimed that such services are "lifesaving," but the complaint said no competent, reliable scientific evidence suggests these interventions reduce the risk of suicide.

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WPATH also labeled nearly every pediatric transition service as "medically necessary" — despite the absence of supporting scientific evidence — to maximize the likelihood that insurers would cover the procedures, according to the complaint.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on June 17 praised the FTC action, saying the agency's own November 2025 review of WPATH's clinical guidelines had documented significant concerns about the organization's guideline-development process.

"I commend Chairman Ferguson and the FTC for taking decisive action against WPATH," HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. "Medical organizations must follow the science, disclose conflicts, and put patients first."

HHS’ November 2025 report on pediatric gender dysphoria treatment documented concerns about WPATH's guideline-development process, finding it suppressed systematic evidence reviews, permitted financial and intellectual conflicts of interest, and relied on what HHS described as "circular referencing and mutual endorsement" among organizations producing similar guidelines, including the Endocrine Society.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral. Brian Christine said the review found "significant weaknesses in the evidence base and guideline-development process surrounding 'pediatric gender medicine' promoted by WPATH."

The FTC action comes as several European countries — including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, and Norway — have moved to restrict medical interventions for minors with gender dysphoria, citing similar concerns about the quality of supporting evidence.