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Staying healthy is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for trans and nonbinary people. One of the most important steps to maintaining good health is getting regular pelvic exams. Pelvic exams provide a valuable opportunity to check for any potential health issues, and can help to ensure that trans and nonbinary people have the resources we need to stay healthy. 

For many folks, this is the first step to understanding their body and their health, and to gaining control of their well being. With that in mind, it’s important to understand the importance of getting regular pelvic exams for trans and nonbinary people, and to ensure that you have the resources you need to access quality health care.

What is a pelvic exam?

A pelvic exam is a very brief medical procedure that’s used to examine a person’s reproductive system. Usually, a pelvic exam is performed by a health care provider, but it can also be conducted by a sexual partner. A pelvic exam includes a visual inspection of the external reproductive organs (such as the vulva, clitoris, and labia), as well as a manual (internal) examination of the pelvic organs, including the cervix, uterus, and ovaries. 

A pelvic exam isn’t a single visit. It’s a series of procedures, each of which is designed to examine a different part of the pelvic area. Some of these procedures may be performed at the same time, while others are done at different, regular intervals.

Who should get regular pelvic exams?

All people should visit their health care provider regularly, including trans and nonbinary people. For trans and nonbinary people, it’s especially important to get regular pelvic exams, as these can help to catch any potential health issues early. That way, trans and nonbinary people have the best opportunity to access treatment and, if necessary, avoid surgical treatments.

Benefits of pelvic exams for trans and nonbinary people

Regular pelvic exams help to ensure that trans and nonbinary people have the best opportunity to catch any potential health issues early. This means that people have the best opportunity to receive treatment, and may be able to avoid unnecessary surgery. In addition to helping people catch health issues early, pelvic exams can also provide an important way for trans and nonbinary people to gain control of their health. 

For many, these exams are the first opportunity to see their own body, and to learn more about how their bodies and reproductive systems function. For many trans and nonbinary people, pelvic exams are a chance to ask questions about their bodies, including the potential need for surgery, birth control options, and general health. 

Regular pelvic exams can also help to ensure that trans and nonbinary people have the resources they need to stay healthy. These exams provide an opportunity for trans and nonbinary people to ask questions about their bodies, and to get the resources they need to stay healthy.

The importance of staying healthy for trans and nonbinary people

With trans and nonbinary visibility on the rise, it’s important to have a better understanding of the health issues that affect our community. Although many people think of trans and nonbinary people as a single group, we know that folks from different parts of our community actually have different health issues and need different resources. For example, someone who is transgender and has a hysterectomy might want to have their ovaries removed, too. At the same time, someone who is nonbinary and has a hysterectomy might not need or want to have their ovaries removed. 

In addition to having different needs, it’s important to understand the ways that your gender identity can affect your health. Understanding the health issues that affect trans and nonbinary people can help to ensure that you access the resources you need to stay healthy.

What to expect during a pelvic exam

Every pelvic exam is different because every person’s anatomy is unique. That said, there are a few things that most pelvic exams have in common. Before starting the pelvic exam, a health care provider should apply a clean, sterile glove to each hand. Once the gloves are on, the provider will clean the external reproductive organs (such as the vulva, clitoris, and labia), and then gently insert a speculum into the vagina. A speculum is a medical tool that opens and widens the vaginal canal so that the provider can fully see the cervix.

A pelvic exam usually lasts between five and ten minutes. At the end of the exam, a health care provider will take off their gloves, clean the external organs again, and remove the speculum.

How to find a health care provider who understands and respects your gender identity

Visiting a health care provider can be a daunting experience for anyone, but it’s especially difficult if the provider doesn’t understand or respect a trans or nonbinary person’s gender identity. With that in mind, there are a few ways that trans and nonbinary people can find a health care provider who understands and respects their gender identity. 

First, trans and nonbinary people can ask their friends and family members (or Care Team!) for recommendations. Second, trans and nonbinary people can use online forums and websites to find health care providers in their area. Finally, you can ask your current health care provider if they’re trained to treat trans and nonbinary people, and what steps they take to ensure that all patients feel comfortable.

Tips to help feel comfortable during a pelvic exam

Visiting a health care provider can be a daunting experience for anyone, but it’s especially difficult if the provider doesn’t understand or respect a trans or nonbinary person’s gender identity. With that in mind, there are a few ways that trans and nonbinary people can find a health care provider who understands and respects their gender identity. 

First, trans and nonbinary people can ask their friends and family members (or Care Team!) for recommendations. Second, trans and nonbinary people can use online forums and websites to find health care providers in their area. Finally, you can ask your current health care provider if they’re trained to treat trans and nonbinary people, and what steps they take to ensure that all patients feel comfortable.

Resources

There are a few resources that can help trans and nonbinary people find quality and affordable health care. First, Planned Parenthood has a directory that can help trans and nonbinary people find a clinic near them. Second, the National Transgender Health Information Center provides resources that help trans and nonbinary people find affordable health care. Finally, the Plume website and our Care Team both provide resources that help trans and nonbinary people find health care providers who understand and respect all gender identities.