Russia Eliminates Sexology as Certified Medical Profession in Healthcare Registry Overhaul
Russia's Health Ministry will remove sexology from its official list of certified medical professions starting September 1, as part of a broader overhaul that eliminates 16 positions and adds 11 new ones. The changes also introduce a new 'healthy longevity medicine physician' specialty, reflecting rising life expectancy among Russian citizens. The move affects fewer than 100 currently certified sexologists and has drawn criticism from practitioners who defend the field as a uniquely integrated medical discipline.
A Health Ministry decree published over the weekend announced that Russia will phase out sexology as a certified medical profession beginning September 1, 2025, as part of a wider restructuring of the country's healthcare registry. In total, 16 medical positions will be removed from the official list, while 11 new ones will be added; three additional titles are set for elimination by September 1, 2028. Officials say doctors currently working in phased-out roles will be given transition periods and retraining opportunities, with the ministry's Viktor Fomin asserting no gap in patient care is expected. The removal of sexology is relatively narrow in scope, as fewer than 100 fully certified sexologists are currently practicing in Russia. Critics, including practicing sexologist Dmitry Orlov, have pushed back, describing sexology as a distinctly Russian medical innovation that bridges multiple specialties. Among the new additions is the 'healthy longevity medicine physician' title, described by industry experts as a response to increasing average life expectancy and designed to integrate internal medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, geriatrics, nutrition, and preventative care.
What's missing
It is unclear whether the removal of sexology as a certified specialty is connected to broader Russian government policies restricting LGBTQ+ rights and discussions of sexuality, or whether it is purely an administrative healthcare restructuring decision.
How coverage differed
Coverage comes primarily from The Moscow Times, an independent outlet that has been labeled a 'foreign agent' and 'undesirable organization' by Russian authorities, which may lend it a critical perspective on Kremlin-aligned policy decisions. State-run sources such as TASS were cited within the article but did not provide independent framing for comparison.
What different sources said
- The Moscow TimesCenter
Russia Does Away With ‘Sexologists’
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