Health center offers transgender gynecology exams

by Monica Derevjanik

A new, free gynecology program could provide more sensitive medical care for the transgender community in Chicago.

Trans Gynecology Access Program co-founders and health educators Jess Kane, Riley Johnson and Terri Kapsalis started the program to provide trans-friendly gynecological care at the Chicago Women’s Health Center in Lakeview.

“I think that there’s a potential in areas where transgenders can feel invisible or discriminated against or vulnerable in a health care setting,” Kane said. “Even that first step of coming and filling a form can make people feel uncomfortable.”

To fix these problems, they initiated a support system to help clients with health care decisions and referring Chicago-area providers for services not offered at the center, such as prescriptions for testosterone and other hormones. Patients can even choose to be accompanied by a transman—a person born female, but identifies as a male – health educator during any portion of the gynecological exam.

Clients can schedule an appointment for $105 for first-time clients to $95 each time after, with a sliding scale of $15.

While patients will go through the typical first-appointment procedures, such as filling out paperwork, those who use the access program will be able to learn more about the exam process beforehand, Johnson said.

“Our main goal is to create options for people and encourage them to make informed decisions for themselves along the way,” he added.

Currently, everyone from receptionists to doctors are being trained to ask questions considerately and to know which terms are acceptable when speaking to a trans patient.

Johnson said the tricky part of the process is that trans-related language evolves and changes quickly.

“Sometimes providers will use the wrong pronoun, insist on using someone’s legal name in conversation and in waiting rooms rather than their preferred name, or may have forms that don’t adequately reflect trans realities,” he added.

But the health educators plan to keep on top of the evolving language and changing terms and to adjust their program accordingly.

“Part of what we do is we always ask for feedback,” Kane said. “We’re open to it changing and expanding in the future.”

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