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.