An Exploration of the Views and Perspectives of Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Individuals About Transvaginal Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is used routinely in gynecological care in Australia to manage gynecological health concerns. Typically, TVS is well tolerated by patients, with low levels of discomfort reported. Trans and gender diverse people assigned female at birth may experience gender dysphoria or testosterone-related anatomical changes, which could make such intimate examinations physically difficult or emotionally distressing. However, to date, no studies have considered the impact of gender identity on individuals' experiences of TVS. To fill this research gap, we explored the experiences of TVS among trans and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth within Australia.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with trans and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth who have experienced TVS in Australia. We analyzed all interviews in line with Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Ten trans and gender diverse individuals aged between 18 and 50 years old participated in this study. From their interviews, we developed three overarching themes: (1) It's a bit like being a detective, (2) So I could properly say, "I don't want this done," and (3) I definitely felt like a novelty. Participants described a range of positive and negative experiences with TVS, with issues related to cisnormativity in documentation, staff attitudes, and inadequate informed consent consistently highlighted.

CONCLUSION

Trans and gender diverse people face challenges in accessing inclusive gynecological care in Australia. Our findings highlight a need for improved informed consent guidelines, better education and training for health professionals, and more inclusive clinic documentation to promote inclusive care.