Schmidt Elizabeth, Rizzolo Denise
Elizabeth Schmidt is an assistant professor in the PA program at Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind. Denise Rizzolo is an assistant clinical professor in the PA program at Pace University in New York City and an associate professor in the Department of Nursing at Kean University in Union, N.J. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
JAAPA. 2017 Oct;30(10):11-16. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000524709.87224.57.
Primary care clinicians have an important role in the health and wellness of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adults and need to know best practices of health maintenance and disease prevention interventions. This article focuses on how exogenous use of sex steroids provided as hormone therapy and gender-affirming procedures affect screening and prevention. Hormone therapy can affect the heart, liver, lipids, bones, brain, skin, and reproductive organs; likewise, behaviors and gender-affirming procedures may alter the risks, prevalence, and screening techniques of sexually transmitted infections. Where applicable, modifications accounting for those differences should be incorporated into the primary care of TGD adults.
