According to research, transgender and gender nonconforming people frequently experience hurdles while attempting to get healthcare services and frequently feel “judged and misunderstood.”
According to experts, trans males should be encouraged to breastfeed their children if they wish to do so.
A new draught guideline from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) states that trans men should be asked about their preferred feeding method before the birth of their child, and those who choose to breastfeed should be offered “chestfeeding support in the same way as for cis-women.”
The guideline addresses the care of trans and genders non-conforming individuals during delivery, contraception, fertility, gynecological operations, and cancer treatment and care.
The document, which has been released for public comment, contains a series of proposals for improving care.
It also states that transgender and gender nonconforming individuals who are contemplating gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy should be provided with information about fertility preservation.
It is recommended that trans men who conceive while receiving masculinizing hormone therapy discontinue the use of the hormones “as soon as feasible,” while those who intend to conceive should discontinue medication three months before pregnancy.
In addition, it urges healthcare workers to be aware that trans and gender diverse individuals frequently face barriers when attempting to access healthcare services, and to take steps to ensure that they have easy access to care without “their gender being questioned or their confidentiality being breached.”
Utilization of favored pronouns
In addition, the statement adds that “gender varied individuals should be offered health screening by national public health policies and clinical guidelines” and that they should be called by their “preferred title, name, and pronouns.
It is by the government’s women’s health strategy, which states that transgender males and non-binary individuals with female reproductive organs should always receive screening invitations to access cervical and breast cancer care programs.
A hindrance to care
Dr. Edward Morris, head of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, stated that transgender and gender non-conforming individuals “frequently feel condemned and misunderstood by the health care.”
According to him, this impeded access to needed care.
“We, as healthcare providers, have a responsibility to make them feel heard and acknowledged,” he continued.
Asha Kasliwal, president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, commented on the guideline, which is open for consultation until September 6th, by stating that there have been numerous instances of failure to “properly understand and evaluate the healthcare needs of gender diverse people.”
It was hoped that the guidelines will “strive to break down obstacles and improve experiences” for trans and gender diverse individuals seeking obstetric and gynecological care.
An ’emotional experience’
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s Clare Ettinghausen, however, stated that “much effort” remained to ensure that healthcare was fully inclusive.
“A variety of perspectives must inform our work so that, once finalized, the guidance may be implemented and started making a difference,” she said.
“Treatment may be an extremely emotional event, so we also recommend that anyone considering fertility treatment has the necessary support.”
