Gynecology
Gynecologic care is an essential part of transition for all transgender patients, and our team of experts is available to help.
Center for Gender Health News:
The Gender Gynecology Clinic will open in Blueback Square in April, 2024, the first in the state to offer gender-affirming gynecologic care for transgender, nonbinary and patients assigned female at birth (AFAB). Twice-monthly clinics, in collaboration with Hartford HealthCare gynecology providers, will be held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, starting April 16. In addition to full gynecology services onsite, access to obstetrics care is available if needed.
Gynecologists affiliated with the Gender Health Center offer the following services for transfeminine patients:
- Post-reconstructive surgery evaluation. After gender-affirming surgery, patients may experience pain or scarring that needs short- or long-term evaluation or care by a gynecologist.
For transmasculine patients, we offer:
- Hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix, using minimally-invasive techniques to avoid large scars on the abdomen. Transvaginal hysterectomy does not require an incision and takes about two hours as the provider removes the organs through the vagina. Patients either go home the same day or spend one night in the hospital. Laparoscopic hysterectomy is done through three or four one-centimeter incisions on the abdomen. The procedure takes about two hours and patients typically spend one night in the hospital.
- Salpingo-oophorectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries, if they are not removed as part of a hysterectomy. The outpatient procedure takes about one hour.
- Vaginectomy is the closure of the vaginal canal and opening either by removing the vaginal mucosa or surgically closing the vagina.
Pelvic Health Therapy
Pelvic floor occupational and physical therapists can help treat transgender and gender non-conforming people. Providers are skilled in post-procedural care for patients and use non-surgical treatment techniques.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, nerves and connective tissue found in the floor or base of the torso). Pelvic floor muscles perform such important functions as:
- Pelvic organ support
- Bladder and bowel control
- Sexual function
Pelvic floor dysfunction is common and our pelvic health rehab providers are specially trained to treat all genders for such conditions as:
- Incontinence
- Prolapse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pelvic pain
- Pre-/post- surgery needs
Individualized treatment may include:
- Flexibility and strength assessment
- Pelvic floor muscle surface EMG (or biofeedback)
- Pelvic area internal and external muscle assessment and treatment
- Core and postural exercises
- Myofascial release
- Relaxation techniques and diaphragmatic breathing
- Development of an individualized home exercise program
- Safe binding, tucking, packing, prosthetic guidance for safety, hygiene and respiratory comfort
- Prevention of infection, swelling and deconditioning
- Bowel, bladder and sexual health
- Retraining or modification of activities of daily living
