Transgenders and gender-diverse people face the same health issues as cisgenders do. However, there are several health issues, especially related to sex, that are specific to transgenders. Every person has a right to be treated respectfully for the illness they are facing. Unfortunately, transgenders face many issues.
Although technologies have advanced and societies have civilized, trans healthcare is still in its nascent stage. Doctors still discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community due to stigma or prejudice.
Here is what you should know about transgender healthcare and how to ensure safety provision of healthcare facilities.
What Is Specific To Transgender Healthcare?
Transgenders are humans just like cisgenders. They face the same health issues that a human being can face, such as flu, cold, fever, stomach issues, etc. However, several sex-related issues are specific to transgenders only.
Sexual preferences and how a person feels about themselves decide the physical attributes of a transgender. Sometimes transgenders might need gender-affirming treatments that only specialized doctors and nursing staff can provide.
What Are Gender-Affirming Treatments?
Gender-affirming treatment is an important transitioning treatment that can help a person completely transfer into a gender they want to keep. Since transgenders have secondary sex characters for both sexes, they can get this treatment to keep the secondary characters for one gender that they want.
This treatment helps transgender get a better identity for themselves. These treatments include,
- Hormone treatment to change secondary sex characters
- Voice therapy and professional voice training
- Surgery to change the shape of the chest
- Surgery to change genitals
- And facial surgeries.
It is not necessary that every transgender might need these treatments, however, some might. Consulting professionals can help them make better decisions.
Issues Faced By Transgenders In Healthcare Facilities
Transgenders have equal rights to healthcare facilities like any other community. However, most hospitals and doctors show discrimination toward transgenders mainly because of their sexual preferences.
Many transgenders have to answer unnecessary and highly invasive questions regarding their sexual life even if they are visiting a doctor for a stomach bug. These discriminations often put a toll on mental health thus pushing trans people to avoid getting themselves checked.
How To Improve Better Health Facilities For Transgenders?
Healthcare departments can take several steps to improve the experience for transgenders in hospitals. Here are some steps that can be taken.
1. Training Doctors
Doctors can play a major role in improving the experience of transgenders in the hospitals. Doctors should be trained to provide nondiscriminatory services to transgenders and gender-diverse people. A doctor who provides healthcare needs to the patient without putting his sexual preferences on top is a professional.
2. Including Transgenders In Healthcare Department
By including transgenders in the healthcare department, such as encouraging them to become doctors or nurses can help lower the harsh discrimination in the facilities.
3. Following Strict Nondiscriminatory Policies
Lastly, every hospital should have strict non-discriminatory policies where patients are given equal treatment despite their sexual orientation. Such hospitals can make life easier for transgenders.
