Transgender people

Trans and transgender are terms used to describe people who don’t conform to the traditional division of male and female. Trans embraces many different types of people and lifestyles, including:

  • People who may be living permanently in the opposite gender to their sex at birth (often known as transsexuals)
  • People who see themselves as being partly male and partly female, or somewhere in between the two
  • Some people who may have been born intersex - i.e. with reproductive organs or chromosomes that are in between what is clearly considered male and female

Trans people often have complex gender identities (their idea of who they are), and their gender identity may change over time. For example, a man may begin by cross-dressing occasionally, then decide later in life that he wants to live full-time as a woman (which is called transitioning).

Some people who live full-time as the opposite gender prefer not to use the term 'trans' at all. For example, a trans man (someone who has transitioned from female to male) may simply prefer to be called a man.

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Transgender Sexual Health – Key Facts
  • Transgender people may have sexual partners who are men, women or both
  • Transgender people should normally have preventative screening including breast screening and cervical smear tests
  • Transgender people are at higher risk for HIV and other STI infections – in America, transgender people experience HIV at 4 times the national level.
  • Transgender men who have sex with men are at risk of unintended pregnancy
  • Transgender people are at increased risk of sexual abuse
  • Transgender people are often reluctant to seek sexual health services and contraception out of fear of discrimination or disrespect.

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Transgender people are welcome at the Nordhaven Clinic to discuss STI screening and contraception based on your needs.

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For more information please visit; Gendered Intelligence and NHS Choices - Transgender Health.

 
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