Gynecological primary care of trans men and transmasculine non-binary individuals, a French descriptive study

Gynecological primary care is a public health issue, however, there is no French data on the transmasculine population, despite identified needs and a low coverage rate described in the international literature. The objective was to analyze the access of the French transmasculine population to gynecological primary care.

The study "Trans men and Transmasculine non-binary individuals use and access to prevention and sexual health care 2022" is a non-interventional, self-administrated, anonymous online study targeting transmasculine adults living in France. Participants were recruited via social networks, LGBTQIA + associations, the FPATH and a caregivers network.

A total of 622 surveys were included, the participants were mostly young (mean age: 25 years old), single (77%), students (40%), owners or tenants (73%) and living in large cities (47%). Among them, 77% had a cross-sex hormonal therapy, 41% underwent a torsoplasty and 6% a pelvic surgery. Only 26% of the participants had an up-to-date follow-up, while 40% never had access to a gynecological consultation. Only a quarter (26%) of the 25-65 years old population, targeted by secondary prevention for cervical cancer, had at least one cervical test in their lifetime. Moreover, regarding feedbacks about gynecological follow-up, they expressed its pertinence but also reported a low comfort level.

This study highlighted the low access to gynecological primary care of a young transmasculine population in France. There is an urgent need of follow-up within this population, by increasing the education of health professionals and developing prevention programs.