Transgender health care: Difference between revisions

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=== Sex reassignment surgery ===
=== Sex reassignment surgery ===
[[Sex reassignment surgery]], also known as gender reassignment surgery, has a goal of lessening dysphoria for transgender people, much like hormone replacement therapy.<ref name=":0" /> Sex reassignment surgery carries additional requirements when compared to hormone replacement therapy. Whereas hormone replacement therapy can be obtained through something as simple as an [[informed consent]] form, sex reassignment surgery requires a supporting letter from a licensed therapist and completion of a 12 month period in which the person lives full time as their gender.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Endocrine therapy for transgender adults in British Columbia: Suggested guidelines|last=Dahl|first=Marshall|last2=Feldman|first2=Jamie|publisher=Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition|year=2006|isbn=|location=|pages=|quote=|via=}}</ref>[[File:2013 Rally for Transgender Equality 21166.jpg|thumb|A sign at a rally calling for equal access to health care for transgender people]]
[[Sex reassignment surgery]], also known as gender reassignment surgery, has a goal of lessening dysphoria for transgender people, much like hormone replacement therapy.<ref name=":0" /> Sex reassignment surgery carries additional requirements when compared to hormone replacement therapy. Whereas hormone replacement therapy can be obtained through something as simple as an [[informed consent]] form, sex reassignment surgery requires a supporting letter from a licensed therapist and completion of a 12 month period in which the person lives full time as their gender.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Endocrine therapy for transgender adults in British Columbia: Suggested guidelines|last=Dahl|first=Marshall|last2=Feldman|first2=Jamie|publisher=Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition|year=2006|isbn=|location=|pages=|quote=|via=}}</ref>

== Mental health care ==
== Mental health care ==


Line 27: Line 26:
== Access ==
== Access ==
{{globalize|date=November 2016}}
{{globalize|date=November 2016}}
Transgender people face various kinds of discrimination, especially in health care situations. An assessment of transgender needs in Philadelphia found that 26% of respondents had been denied health care because they were transgender and 52% of respondents had difficulty accessing health services.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bradford|first=Judith|last2=Reisner|first2=Sari L.|last3=Honnold|first3=Julie A.|last4=Xavier|first4=Jessica|date=2012-11-15|title=Experiences of Transgender-Related Discrimination and Implications for Health: Results From the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study|url=http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300796|journal=American Journal of Public Health|volume=103|issue=10|pages=1820–1829|doi=10.2105/AJPH.2012.300796|issn=0090-0036|pmc=3780721|pmid=23153142}}</ref> Aside from transition related care, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals need preventative care such as vaccines, gynecological care, prostate exams, and other annual preventative health measures.<ref name=":4" /> Various factors play a role in creating the limited access to care, such as insurance coverage issues related to their legal gender identity status.<ref name=":4" />
There is limited data regarding the impact of social determinants of health on transgender and gender non-conforming individuals health outcomes.<ref name=":5" /> However, despite the limited data available, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals have been found to be at higher risk of experiencing poor health outcomes and restricted access due to increased risk for violence, isolation, and other types of discrimination both inside and outside the health care setting.<ref>Anastas J.W. (2013) Policy, practice, and people: Current issues affecting clinical practice. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(3),302-307. </ref>
=== United States ===
[[File:2013 Rally for Transgender Equality 21166.jpg|thumb|A sign at a rally calling for equal access to health care for transgender people|319x319px]]Transgender people face various kinds of discrimination, especially in health care situations. An assessment of transgender needs in Philadelphia found that 26% of respondents had been denied health care because they were transgender and 52% of respondents had difficulty accessing health services.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bradford|first=Judith|last2=Reisner|first2=Sari L.|last3=Honnold|first3=Julie A.|last4=Xavier|first4=Jessica|date=2012-11-15|title=Experiences of Transgender-Related Discrimination and Implications for Health: Results From the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study|url=http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300796|journal=American Journal of Public Health|volume=103|issue=10|pages=1820–1829|doi=10.2105/AJPH.2012.300796|issn=0090-0036|pmc=3780721|pmid=23153142}}</ref> Aside from transition related care, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals need preventative care such as vaccines, gynecological care, prostate exams, and other annual preventative health measures.<ref name=":4" /> Various factors play a role in creating the limited access to care, such as insurance coverage issues related to their legal gender identity status.<ref name=":4" />


⚫
The [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act]] marketplace has improved access to insurance for the LGBT community through anti-discriminatory measures, such as not allowing insurance companies to reject consumers for being transgender.<ref name=":5">Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease and Health Promotion. (2016, September). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. Retrieved from HealthyPeople.gov: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health</ref> However, insurance sold outside of the ACA marketplace does not have to follow these requirements. This means that preventative care, such as gynecological exams for transgender men, may not be covered.<ref>Varny J. (2016). Rainbow Medicine- Supporting the Needs of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine. </ref>
=== Affordable Care Act ===
⚫
The [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act]] marketplace has improved access to insurance for the LGBT community through anti-discriminatory measures, such as not allowing insurance companies to reject consumers for being transgender.<ref name=":5">Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease and Health Promotion. (2016, September). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. Retrieved from HealthyPeople.gov: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health</ref> However, insurance sold outside of the ACA marketplace does not have to follow these requirements. This means that preventative care, such as gynecological exams for transgender men, may not be covered.<ref>Varny J. (2016). Rainbow Medicine- Supporting the Needs of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine. </ref>


=== Social Determinants of Health ===
=== South America ===
In Colombia, transgender women sex workers have cited financial difficulties as barriers to accessing physical transition options.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last=Bianchi|first=Fernanda T.|last2=Reisen|first2=Carol A.|last3=Zea|first3=Maria Cecilia|last4=Vidal-Ortiz|first4=Salvador|last5=Gonzales|first5=Felisa A.|last6=Betancourt|first6=Fabián|last7=Aguilar|first7=Marcela|last8=Poppen|first8=Paul J.|date=2014-01-24|title=Sex Work Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Bogotá|url=http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-014-0260-z|journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior|language=en|volume=43|issue=8|pages=1637–1650|doi=10.1007/s10508-014-0260-z|issn=0004-0002|pmc=4110190|pmid=24464550}}</ref> As a result, they have entered sex work to relieve financial burdens, both those related to transition and those not related to transition.<ref name=":6" /> However, despite working in the sex trade, the transgender women are at low risk for HIV transmission as the Colombian government requires education about sexual health and human rights for sex workers to work in so-called tolerance zones, areas where sex work is legal.<ref name=":6" />
As recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services in Healthy People 2020,<ref name=":5" /> there are limited data regarding the impact of social determinants of health on transgender and gender non-conforming individuals health outcomes. This is due to poor data tracking. However, there are broad assumptions that can be made on the limited LGBT data that is available. Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are more likely to be experiencing poor health outcomes and access due to increased risk for violence, isolation, unemployment, homelessness, and discrimination within and without the health care setting.<ref>Anastas J.W. (2013) Policy, practice, and people: Current issues affecting clinical practice. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(3),302-307. </ref>


== Health care for transgender youth ==
== Health care for transgender youth ==

Revision as of 03:41, 23 November 2016

Before and after shots of a male-to-female person after two years of hormone replacement therapy

Transgender health care is the health related care of preventative medicine, physical health, and mental health that transgender people experience.[1] The heightened levels of violence and abuse that transgender people experience result in unique adverse effects on bodily and mental health.[2] Gender dysphoria is the sense of incongruity between a person's sex and their gender and is a motivator in some transgender people's decision to begin transitioning.[3] However, health care for transgender and gender non-conforming individual encompasses more than just transition related care; preventative care and sexual health are two aspects of transgender health care that are often overlooked.

Additionally, transphobia in medicine has limited access to necessary health care for transgender people. The limited access applies to areas of physical health such as sexually transmitted infections and hormone replacement therapy, mental health, and preventative care.[4]

Physical transition

Various options are available for transgender people to pursue physical transition. There have been options for transitioning for transgender individuals since 1917.[1] While many transgender people do elect to transition physically, every transgender person has different needs and, as such, there is no required transition plan.[3]

Hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is primarily concerned with alleviating gender dysphoria in transgender people.[3] Regular monitoring by an endocrinologist is a strong recommendation to ensure the safety of the individual as they transition.[5]

Access to hormone replacement therapy has been shown to improve quality of life for people in the female-to-male community when compared to female-to-male people who do not have access to hormone replacement therapy.[6] Despite the improvement in quality of life, there are still dangers with hormone replacement therapy, in particular with self-medication. An examination of the use of self-medication found that people who self-medicated were more likely to experience adverse health effects from preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure as well as slower development of desired secondary sex characteristics.[7]

Sex reassignment surgery

Sex reassignment surgery, also known as gender reassignment surgery, has a goal of lessening dysphoria for transgender people, much like hormone replacement therapy.[3] Sex reassignment surgery carries additional requirements when compared to hormone replacement therapy. Whereas hormone replacement therapy can be obtained through something as simple as an informed consent form, sex reassignment surgery requires a supporting letter from a licensed therapist and completion of a 12 month period in which the person lives full time as their gender.[3][8]

Mental health care

Gender dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is a well-documented occurrence, with references to it dating back to 1894.[9] Gender dysphoria is currently classified as a mental illness in the DSM-5 and has been called "transsexualism" and "gender identity disorder" in past versions of the DSM.[10] Gender dysphoria is a significant motivator in transgender people's decisions to pursue transition.[3]

Mental illness

Mental illness and gender dysphoria have been linked to each other. In a study on the comorbidity of gender dysphoria and other mental problems, roughly 30 percent of both male-to-female and female-to-male populations reported substance abuse problems related to their gender dysphoria.[11]

Rates of depression and anxiety in the transgender community are significantly higher than those found in the general population.[12] The heightened rates are caused in part by lack of effective social support for transgender people, especially those pre-transition or early on in their transition.[12]

Access

There is limited data regarding the impact of social determinants of health on transgender and gender non-conforming individuals health outcomes.[13] However, despite the limited data available, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals have been found to be at higher risk of experiencing poor health outcomes and restricted access due to increased risk for violence, isolation, and other types of discrimination both inside and outside the health care setting.[14]

United States

A sign at a rally calling for equal access to health care for transgender people

Transgender people face various kinds of discrimination, especially in health care situations. An assessment of transgender needs in Philadelphia found that 26% of respondents had been denied health care because they were transgender and 52% of respondents had difficulty accessing health services.[15] Aside from transition related care, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals need preventative care such as vaccines, gynecological care, prostate exams, and other annual preventative health measures.[1] Various factors play a role in creating the limited access to care, such as insurance coverage issues related to their legal gender identity status.[1]

The Affordable Care Act marketplace has improved access to insurance for the LGBT community through anti-discriminatory measures, such as not allowing insurance companies to reject consumers for being transgender.[13] However, insurance sold outside of the ACA marketplace does not have to follow these requirements. This means that preventative care, such as gynecological exams for transgender men, may not be covered.[16]

South America

In Colombia, transgender women sex workers have cited financial difficulties as barriers to accessing physical transition options.[17] As a result, they have entered sex work to relieve financial burdens, both those related to transition and those not related to transition.[17] However, despite working in the sex trade, the transgender women are at low risk for HIV transmission as the Colombian government requires education about sexual health and human rights for sex workers to work in so-called tolerance zones, areas where sex work is legal.[17]

Health care for transgender youth

Transition options for transgender adolescents and youth are significantly limited compared to those for transgender adults. Pre-pubescent transgender youth can go through various social changes, such as presenting as their gender and asking to be called by a different name or different pronouns.[18] Medical options for transition become available once the child begins to enter puberty. Under close supervision by a team of doctors, puberty blockers may be used to limit the effects of puberty.[18]

The use of puberty blockers as a form of treatment for transgender youth is in question. While the World Professional Association for Transgender Health recommends their use, the likelihood of issues of gender dysphoria resolving before adolescence and before the use of puberty blockers are quite high.[3][19] Concerns regarding the impact of puberty blockers on physical health, such as bone density, have also been raised.[19] Long-term use of puberty blockers has also gone relatively unstudied, bringing up questions about harmful long-term side effects.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gorton N, Grubb HM (2014). General, Sexual, and Reproductive health. In L. Erickson-Schroth. Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the transgender community (pp. 215-240). Nw York: Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ Rood, Brian A.; Reisner, Sari L.; Surace, Francisco I.; Puckett, Jae A.; Maroney, Meredith R.; Pantalone, David W. "Expecting Rejection: Understanding the Minority Stress Experiences of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals". Transgender Health. 1 (1): 151–164. doi:10.1089/trgh.2016.0012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Coleman, E.; Bockting, W.; Botzer, M.; Cohen-Kettenis, P.; DeCuypere, G.; Feldman, J.; Fraser, L.; Green, J.; Knudson, G. (2012-08-01). "Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People, Version 7". International Journal of Transgenderism. 13 (4): 165–232. doi:10.1080/15532739.2011.700873. ISSN 1553-2739.
  4. ^ Lacombe-Duncan, Ashley. "An Intersectional Perspective on Access to HIV-Related Healthcare for Transgender Women". Transgender Health. 1 (1): 137–141. doi:10.1089/trgh.2016.0018.
  5. ^ Moore, Eva; Wisniewski, Amy; Dobs, Adrian (2003-08-01). "Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual People: A Review of Treatment Regimens, Outcomes, and Adverse Effects". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 88 (8): 3467–3473. doi:10.1210/jc.2002-021967. ISSN 0021-972X.
  6. ^ Newfield, Emily; Hart, Stacey; Dibble, Suzanne; Kohler, Lori (2006-06-07). "Female-to-male transgender quality of life". Quality of Life Research. 15 (9): 1447–1457. doi:10.1007/s11136-006-0002-3. ISSN 0962-9343.
  7. ^ Israel, Gianna (2001). Transgender Care: Recommended Guidelines, Practical Information, and Personal Accounts. Temple University Press. ISBN 1566398525.
  8. ^ Dahl, Marshall; Feldman, Jamie (2006). Endocrine therapy for transgender adults in British Columbia: Suggested guidelines. Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition.
  9. ^ von Krafft-Ebing, Richard (1894). Psychopathia Sexualis. ISBN 9782357792173.
  10. ^ Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T.; Pfäfflin, Friedemann (2009-10-17). "The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescents and Adults". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 39 (2): 499–513. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9562-y. ISSN 0004-0002.
  11. ^ Cole, Collier M.; O'Boyle, Michael; Emory, Lee E.; Iii, Walter J. Meyer. "Comorbidity of Gender Dysphoria and Other Major Psychiatric Diagnoses". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 26 (1): 13–26. doi:10.1023/A:1024517302481. ISSN 0004-0002.
  12. ^ a b Budge, Stephanie L.; Adelson, Jill L.; Howard, Kimberly A. S. "Anxiety and depression in transgender individuals: The roles of transition status, loss, social support, and coping". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 81 (3): 545–557. doi:10.1037/a0031774.
  13. ^ a b Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease and Health Promotion. (2016, September). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health. Retrieved from HealthyPeople.gov: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health
  14. ^ Anastas J.W. (2013) Policy, practice, and people: Current issues affecting clinical practice. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(3),302-307.
  15. ^ Bradford, Judith; Reisner, Sari L.; Honnold, Julie A.; Xavier, Jessica (2012-11-15). "Experiences of Transgender-Related Discrimination and Implications for Health: Results From the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study". American Journal of Public Health. 103 (10): 1820–1829. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300796. ISSN 0090-0036. PMC 3780721. PMID 23153142.
  16. ^ Varny J. (2016). Rainbow Medicine- Supporting the Needs of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
  17. ^ a b c Bianchi, Fernanda T.; Reisen, Carol A.; Zea, Maria Cecilia; Vidal-Ortiz, Salvador; Gonzales, Felisa A.; Betancourt, Fabián; Aguilar, Marcela; Poppen, Paul J. (2014-01-24). "Sex Work Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Bogotá". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 43 (8): 1637–1650. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0260-z. ISSN 0004-0002. PMC 4110190. PMID 24464550.
  18. ^ a b Chen, Diane; Hidalgo, Marco A.; Leibowitz, Scott; Leininger, Jennifer; Simons, Lisa; Finlayson, Courtney; Garofalo, Robert. "Multidisciplinary Care for Gender-Diverse Youth: A Narrative Review and Unique Model of Gender-Affirming Care". Transgender Health. 1 (1): 117–123. doi:10.1089/trgh.2016.0009.
  19. ^ a b c Radix, Anita; Silva, Manel. "Beyond the Guidelines: Challenges, Controversies, and Unanswered Questions". Pediatric Annals. 43 (6): e145–e150. doi:10.3928/00904481-20140522-10.
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