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Chapter 11 - Benign Gynecological Conditions in Transgender and Gender Diverse People

from Section B - Practicing Transgynecology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2022

By
Mick van Trotsenburg ,
Maria Cristina Meriggiola  and
Rixt AC Luikenaar
Edited by
Mick van Trotsenburg ,
Rixt A. C. Luikenaar  and
Maria Cristina Meriggiola
Mick van Trotsenburg
Affiliation:
Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität, Wien
Rixt A. C. Luikenaar
Affiliation:
Rebirth Health Center, Utah
Maria Cristina Meriggiola
Affiliation:
Università di Bologna
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Summary

Complaints related to endometriosis, irregular vaginal bleeding, fibroids, chronic recurrent colpitis, urinary tract infections or other benign gynecological conditions can be a heavy burden for patients regardless of one’s gender identity or gender role, but may evolve into an additional source of distress, physically and emotionally, for transgender and gender diverse people.

Healthcare professionals tend to focus on gender incongruence and mitigating symptoms of gender dysphoria, and therefor do not always pay attention to chronic medical conditions to the extent necessary, especially in younger patients.

Diagnostics and treatment of these conditions are not fundamentally different in transgender and gender diverse people, but the stage of transition and the goals of the process towards a satisfactory life, congruent with one’s gender identity, have to be taken into account. Treatment of chronic disorders in general and gynecological complaints in particular should be put into context (of gender-affirmative treatment) and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including mental healthcare professionals (MHPs), should be sought out to ensure best possible care.

This chapter addresses common benign gynecological conditions and treatment modalities for trans masculine and gender diverse people.

Type
Chapter
Information
Context, Principles and Practice of TransGynecology
Managing Transgender Patients in ObGyn Practice
 , pp. 82 - 88
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

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