Gender-Affirming Care and Gynecology: Best Practices for Supporting Youth Who Are Transgender and Gender Diverse.

Abstract

Based on extensive evidence, gender-affirming care (GAC) is endorsed by numerous medical societies as the gold standard for supporting youth who are transgender and gender diverse (TGD). Unfortunately, there remain barriers to accessing GAC and an ongoing risk of gender identity-based mistreatment for youth who are TGD accessing all forms of health care. Gynecologic care is commonly accessed by youth who are TGD as part of medical gender affirmation, with needs ranging from hormone management, menstrual suppression, contraception counseling, and surgical consultation. It is imperative that clinicians understand the unique clinical concerns with which youth who are TGD may present. Additionally, as access to medical and surgical care faces legal threats, it is important that gynecologists, pediatricians, and others who may provide care to youth who are TGD understand the core competencies of GAC and how to create welcoming and inclusive clinical spaces to uphold patient dignity and optimize psychosocial outcomes.