Do You Get An Annual Physical?

I do and an annual mammogram, but many people do not. Some because they don’t having insurance, some because they hate doctors, while might not even know they insurance companies don’t charge for an annual wellness exam.

Transgender, gender nonconforming teens have diminished perceptions of health
Healio
By Rider GN, et al.
Pediatrics. 2018. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1683

Teenagers who identify as transgender and gender nonconforming are more likely to report poorer physical and mental health than those who identify as cisgender, with less use of preventive health care measures, according to findings published in Pediatrics.

Additionally, perceptions of health were varied based on perceived gender expression of these students, with the largest representation of students reporting a gender perception of equally masculine and feminine.

“Some of our previous research indicates that, when compared to cisgender youth, [transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC)] adolescents report experiencing higher rates of bullying and subsequently higher rates of emotional distress and substance use following from these incidents,” Nic Rider, PhD, from the Program in Human Sexuality in the department of family medicine and community health at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, told Infectious Diseases in Children.

“These health outcomes may also be a result of negative experiences such as discrimination and other interactions that do not affirm their gender identities and expressions, which other studies indicate does happen in health care settings,” Rider continued.

I think it is not only their personal experiences but also from the experiences community; we have all heard the horror stories from other trans people who had bad encounters with healthcare providers and the stories have a profound effect on the community.

“When health care providers do have the opportunity to work with TGNC adolescents, it is important to ask them about these health risks as well as barriers they experience in terms of accessing, utilizing and receiving competent and quality care,” Rider said. “It is especially important for health care providers to also identify and refer to appropriate follow-up care when necessary. These are some of the ways health care providers can bolster wellness within this community.” – by Katherine Bortz

I would also add, limit your questions to relevant questions about the nature of the office visit. If we are there for the flu asking about what’s between our legs is not relevant, but asking about our sexual history because many STIs start off feeling like a cold. But if the healthcare just says, “so tell me about your sex history” our hackles might be raised (why is has asking about my sex life when I have the flu), but if instead the provider says, “many diseases start out wth cold symptoms so I am going to asked you about some other factors that may cause your symptoms” would less offensive.

I know one time I had to train one of my doctors about gender dysphoria, I didn’t like doing it (he should have learned it is college) but I am glad he asked and took the time to listen.