Carvalho Sérgio A, Lapa Teresa, Pascoal Patrícia M
University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal.
Anesthesiology Departament, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jun 20;12(12):1229. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12121229.
The sexual health of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people with endometriosis has been overlooked, and important emotional experiences, such as sexual distress and its correlates, have been ignored. This has prevented a more comprehensive look at the health experiences of TGD individuals. This descriptive online survey study preliminarily explored the experiences of pain symptoms, sexual distress, and mental health of N = 6 TGD individuals diagnosed with endometriosis. Descriptive results showed a mean delay of 10 years from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis. Endometriosis-related pain was a common symptom, although with low to moderate intensity. Results also showed higher mean levels of pain impact, powerlessness and lack of control, somatization, depression, anxiety, and sexual distress, and lower mean levels of emotional well-being, social support, and worse self-image compared to reports on cisgender women with endometriosis in the literature. These results suggested that sexual and mental health in the context of TGD people with endometriosis has specificities and may be associated with factors that need to be accounted for to provide comprehensive and socially just healthcare, such as the recognition of the impact of endometriosis treatment on symptoms of gender dysphoria. To achieve sexual health equity for TGD people, continuous and updated professional training and inclusive research with multiple informants are necessary.
患有子宫内膜异位症的跨性别者和性别多样化(TGD)人群的性健康一直被忽视,重要的情感体验,如性困扰及其相关因素,也被忽略。这阻碍了对TGD个体健康经历的更全面审视。这项描述性在线调查研究初步探讨了6名被诊断患有子宫内膜异位症的TGD个体的疼痛症状、性困扰和心理健康经历。描述性结果显示,从症状出现到确诊的平均延迟时间为10年。与子宫内膜异位症相关的疼痛是一种常见症状,尽管强度为低到中度。结果还显示,与文献中关于患有子宫内膜异位症的顺性别女性的报告相比,疼痛影响、无力感和缺乏控制感、躯体化、抑郁、焦虑和性困扰的平均水平更高,而情感幸福感、社会支持的平均水平更低,自我形象更差。这些结果表明,患有子宫内膜异位症的TGD人群的性健康和心理健康具有特殊性,可能与一些因素有关,为提供全面且符合社会公正的医疗保健,需要考虑这些因素,比如认识到子宫内膜异位症治疗对性别焦虑症状的影响。为了实现TGD人群的性健康公平,持续且更新的专业培训以及有多方信息提供者参与的包容性研究是必要的。