By Dr.Love, Last medically reviewed by Dr.Deyn on June 05, 2021

Health Issues for Transgender People

Know the important health issues transgender people face, and get tips for taking charge of your health.Transgender people can have unique health care needs. Here's help understanding these concerns and how to address them.

"Transgender" is an umbrella term used to capture the spectrum of gender identity and gender-expression diversity. Gender identity is the internal sense of being male, female, neither or both. Gender expression — often an extension of gender identity — involves the expression of a person's gender identity through social roles, appearance and behaviors.

Many health concerns that transgender people face are due to minority stress, which is characterized by:

• Negative social attitudes and disapproval (social stigma) toward transgender people
• Abuse, harassment, neglect, rejection or unfair treatment (discrimination) of transgender people
• Internalization of social stigma, turning it into negative attitudes and thoughts toward one's self (internalized stigma)

For example, minority stress is linked to transgender people seeking out less preventive care and screenings than that of cisgender people of similar ages, whose gender identity and expression match the sex they were assigned at birth. This might be due to a lack of gender-related insurance coverage, being refused care, difficulty finding a doctor with expertise in transgender care or fear of discrimination in a health care setting.

Transgender Health Concerns

1. Physical Health 

The use of hormones

Transgender people are at increased risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

To protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections:

• Use hormones under prescription and care from doctors only

Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections

Transgender people are at increased risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

To protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections:

• Use a condom or other protection. Use a new condom every time you have sex, especially during anal sex but ideally during oral sex as well. Use only water-based lubricants, not petroleum jelly, body lotion or oils. Oil-based lubricants can weaken latex condoms and cause them to break.
• Be monogamous. Another reliable way to avoid sexually transmitted infections is to stay in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who isn't infected.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, and don't use drugs. If you're under the influence, you're more likely to take sexual risks. If you choose to use injectable drugs, don't share needles.
• Get vaccinated. Vaccinations can protect you from hepatitis A and hepatitis B, serious liver infections that can spread through sexual contact. Not all sexually transmitted infections are prevented by vaccines, however. Hepatitis C is not covered by any vaccine and can lead to liver failure, liver cancer and death. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available to men up to age 46. HPV is associated with anal cancer in Transgender people.
• Get tested and have your partner tested. Don't have unprotected sex unless you're certain you and your partner aren't infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Testing is important because many people don't know they're infected, and others might not be honest about their health.
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a way for people who don't have HIV to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. Use of the combination drug emtricitabine-tenofovir (Truvada) can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection in those who are at high risk. Truvada is also used as an HIV treatment along with other medications. When used to help prevent HIV infection, Truvada is only appropriate if your doctor is certain you don't already have HIV. Your doctor should also test for hepatitis B infection. If you have hepatitis B, your doctor should test your kidney function before prescribing Truvada. The drug must also be taken daily exactly as prescribed. And it should only be used along with other prevention strategies such as condom use every time you have sex.
• Get treatment. If you test positive for any infections, make sure to get the treatment as soon as possible.

2. Mental Health & Well-being 

because of minority stress, transgender people are at risk of:

• Emotional and psychological abuse
• Physical and sexual violence
• Sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis and HIV
• Substance misuse
• Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts

Address body image concerns

Transgender people are more likely to experience body image problems and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa, than are their straight counterparts.

One potential explanation is that, as a result of growing up with images of slender and effeminate Transgender people or men with muscular bodies, some gay and bisexual men worry excessively about their weight. If you're struggling with body image concerns or an eating disorder, get help. Talk to your doctor or a mental health provider about treatment options.

Tackle depression

Transgender people and Transgender people might be at higher risk of depression and anxiety.
If you're reluctant to seek treatment, confide in a trusted friend or loved one. Sharing your feelings might be the first step toward getting treatment.

3. Socio-Economical Health & Well-being 

Toxic friends and social circle

Many of us felt alone in the small city and we moved to the bigger city for opportunity and a lot of time we feel alone in the big city we live in and many of us admit that sometimes having not-so-good friends or toxic relationship are better than being alone. That's not healthy. Fundamentally, toxic relationship behaviors are the result of a lack of empathy. Whether that be demanding your partner live up to your expectations, or refusing to see things from their perspective, toxic behavior often represents an inability to feel genuine understanding and compassion for the other person.

• Read more about 15 signs of Toxic Relationship and how can I fix?

Seek help for substance abuse

In the U.S., gay men are more likely to smoke than are heterosexual men and gay men are more likely to deal with alcoholism than is the general population.

If you have a substance abuse concern, remember that help is available. Local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health, mental health, or community centers often provide substance abuse treatment. Organizations such as the GLMA also might provide referrals.

Recognize domestic violence

Domestic violence can affect anyone in an intimate relationship. Gay men might be more likely to stay silent about this kind of violence due to fear of discrimination and a lack of facilities designed to accommodate them.

Staying in an abusive relationship might leave you depressed, anxious or hopeless. If you don't want to disclose your sexual orientation, you might be less likely to seek help after an assault. Still, the only way to break the cycle of domestic violence is to take action — the sooner the better.

If you're a target of domestic violence, tell someone about the abuse, whether it's a friend, loved one, health care provider or other close contact. Consider calling a domestic violence hotline and creating a plan to leave your abuser.

What you can do as a transgender to take care of your health?

Make routine health care a priority

Don't let fear of homophobia or the stigma associated with homosexuality prevent you from seeking routine health care. Instead, take charge of your health.

Look for a doctor who puts you at ease. Identify yourself as gay or bisexual, and ask about routine screenings recommended for men in your age group — such as blood pressure and cholesterol measurements and screenings for prostate, testicular and colon cancers.

If you're not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship, schedule regular screenings for sexually transmitted infections. Share any other health concerns you might have with your doctor as well. Early diagnosis and treatment help promote long-term health.

See a doctor

If you're a transgender person, don't avoid seeing a doctor out of fear of a negative encounter. Instead, look for a doctor who is empathetic and respectful of your specific needs. By doing so, your doctor can help identify ways to reduce your risk of health concerns, as well as identify medical conditions and refer you to specialists when necessary.

Once you're talking to your doctor, be honest. Share your gender identity. Tell your doctor about any medicines you take or have taken, any surgeries or procedures you've had, and any associated complications or concerns. Talk about any stress, discrimination, anxiety or depression you're experiencing and how you cope. Also, tell your doctor if you're sexually active. The more your doctor knows about your health history, the better the doctor will be able to help you.

Get Screened

Experts recommend that you take steps to protect your health based on your anatomy, regardless of your gender identity or expression. This might include:

• Age-appropriate screening for cervical and breast cancers
• Age-appropriate screening for prostate cancer
• Age-appropriate screening for colon cancer
• Age-appropriate vaccinations
• Screening for mental health conditions
• Screening for substance abuse
• Screening for HIV
• Screening for hepatitis

Additional issues might need to be considered if you have had feminizing or masculinizing hormone therapy or surgery.

Your health is important — regardless of your gender identity or gender expression. If you're due for a screening or you have health concerns, don't put off seeing a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment help promote long-term health.