Abstract
Experiences of Transgender Men in Accessing Care in Gynecology Clinics [24G]
Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953), v 131(1 Suppl 1), pp 81S-81S
May 2018
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Transgender, or “trans,” individuals face barriers to accessing medical care, however little is known regarding trans men’s experiences in accessing gynecologic care in particular. This study sought to determine if trans men in Ontario avoid presenting for gynecologic care and to gain understanding of their experiences in accessing this care.
METHODS: Trans men ≥18 years old and living in Ontario were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. The study poster with questionnaire URL was distributed in both physical and online spaces frequented by the trans community.
RESULTS: Of 89 respondents, 84/87 (97%) reported using a pronoun different from that associated with their birth-assigned gender, 71/87 (82%) reported current or past testosterone use, and 46/85 (54%) had undergone gender confirming surgery. 72/78 (92%) felt anxious about seeking gynecologic care and 43/79 (54%) had avoided attending gynecologic care settings because they were trans, citing the following reasonsencountering gendered forms (50%), sitting in a waiting room with cis women (54%), being misgendered (59%), having to educate providers (70%), and undergoing the gynecologic exam itself (86%). Many respondents found the gynecologic exam physically (60%) and emotionally (75%) distressing. Respondents endorsed options for an improved exam experience, including providers using gender non-specific language (85%), explaining each step before it occurs (55%), and having a support person present (47%).
CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted areas for improvement in care provision that can be adopted by gynecologic care providers in order to make the experiences of trans men more inclusive, safe, and positive.
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Details
- Title
- Experiences of Transgender Men in Accessing Care in Gynecology Clinics [24G]
- Creators
- Helena Frecker - Toronto East General HospitalAyden Scheim - Toronto East General HospitalMathew Leonardi - Toronto East General HospitalMark Yudin - Toronto East General Hospital
- Publication Details
- Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953), v 131(1 Suppl 1), pp 81S-81S
- Conference
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ 2018 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting (Austin, Texas, United States, 27 Apr 2018–30 Apr 2018)
- Publisher
- by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
- Number of pages
- 1
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000442482900281
- Other Identifier
- 991020099785404721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Obstetrics & Gynecology