Access to Healthcare for Transgendered People

Transgendered people have a transition period to physical appearance or gender expression specific to the gender they perceive. Hormone replacement therapy or surgical operation is widely used in this period. There are risks associated with hormone therapy such as venous thromboembolism, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus, cancer and osteoporosis. Transgendered people are at increased risk for HIV, sexual violence and mental health problems, depression, anxiety and suicide. In these people, risky health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse also increase the incidence of these diseases. To understand the health risks of transgendered people is important and ensures the effective provision of health care. However, it was seen that there was a strong relationship between access to health care services of these people experiencing stigma and othering in the society and its consequences. In the study carried out by Yılmaz and Göçmen (2015) with lesbian, gay and transgendered people, 7.6 percent of the people who participated in the study stated that they did not receive treatment and delayed their treatment for the fear that they would be exposed to discrimination. Nurses have an important position in the protection and development of the health of this group and in increasing the quality of care they receive.