As ob-gyns, our goal is to provide the very best health care for our patients, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, marital status, immigrant status, handicap, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Unfortunately, there are segments of our population that, for a variety of reasons, have problems getting necessary health care, whether due to poverty, a lack of health insurance, living in a rural setting, or fear of discrimination.

One group that often experiences problems with access to health care includes transgender individuals. That’s why ob-gyns are being encouraged to do more to provide for their care. The fact is that transgender people share many of the same health care needs as everyone else. By instituting non-discrimination policies, ensuring confidentiality, and referring to patients by their preferred name, physicians can help make transgender individuals feel welcome in their offices.

We want the transgender community to know that we care about their health and can provide screenings, preventive care, and other appropriate services. Many transgender individuals who were assigned female sex at birth but live as male will need breast and reproductive organ screening. Male-to-female individuals who have had genital reconstruction may need cancer screening of the neovagina and breast cancer screening if they take hormones. 

By working together, we can ensure that our transgender patients receive the health care that they need.