Sexual Orientation Differences in Pregnancy and Abortion Across the Lifecourse.

OBJECTIVES: We examined sexual orientation-related differences in various pregnancy outcomes (e.g., teen pregnancy, abortion) across the lifespan. METHODS: We collected data from 124,710 participants in three U.S. longitudinal cohort studies, the Nurses' Health Study 2 and 3 and Growing Up Today Study 1, followed from 1989 to 2017. Multivariate regression was used to calculate differences of each outcome-ever had pregnancy, teen pregnancy, ever had abortion, and age at first birth-by sexual orientation groups (e.g., heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian), adjusting for potential confounders of age and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: All sexual minority groups-except lesbians-were generally more likely than heterosexual peers to have a pregnancy, a teen pregnancy, and an abortion. For example, Growing Up Today Study 1 bisexual participants were three times as likely as heterosexuals to have had an abortion (risk ratio, 3.21; 95% confident interval, 1.94-5.34). Lesbian women in all of the cohorts were approximately half as likely to have a pregnancy compared with heterosexual women. Few sexual orientation group differences were detected in age at first birth. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of unintended pregnancy among sexual minority women likely reflects structural barriers to sexual and reproductive health services. It is critical that sex education programs become inclusive of sexual minority individuals and medical education train health care providers to care for this population. Health care providers should not make harmful heteronormative assumptions about pregnant patients and providers must learn to take sexual histories as well as offer contraceptive counseling to all patients who want to prevent a pregnancy regardless of sexual orientation.

Decision satisfaction among women choosing a method of pregnancy termination in the setting of fetal anomalies and other pregnancy complications: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The decision to undergo a surgical or medical method of second-trimester termination for pregnancy complications should be preference-sensitive. Decision satisfaction has not been described in this population; understanding how women describe decision satisfaction in this setting could inform decision support efforts. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with women one to three weeks after termination who chose either a surgical or medical termination for fetal anomalies, pregnancy complications or fetal demise. We analyzed transcripts using modified grounded theory in an iterative manner with a generative thematic approach. RESULTS: We interviewed 36 women (24 surgical and 12 medical). Subjects connected decision satisfaction with counseling experiences and their personal values, including (1) importance of adequate information, (2) autonomous decision making, and (3) choosing the method that facilitates coping. CONCLUSION: Offering women a choice between surgical and medical termination procedures in the setting of pregnancy complications is integral to decision satisfaction. Women in our study reported wanting this decision to be driven by their personal values. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Women should be able to choose between surgical and medical termination based on preference and not availability of services. Decision support from women's health providers should be based on values clarification and providing accurate information.

Family planning and contraception use in transgender men.

OBJECTIVES: Female-to-male (FTM) transgender men (affirmed males) can experience planned and unplanned pregnancy during and after testosterone therapy. We conducted an exploratory study to understand current contraceptive practices and fertility desires among transgender men during and after transitioning. STUDY DESIGN: Self-identified transgender and transmasculine individuals assigned female at birth, ages 18-45, completed an anonymous online survey derived from standardized family planning surveys. We recruited participants from LGBT health centers, online listservs, and online groups for transgender men and used a mixed-methods analysis to evaluate quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Of the one hundred and ninety-seven participants included in the study, the median age was 30 years old, most respondents were white, and 86% were taking masculinizing hormones (testosterone). Of the 60 pregnancies reported, 10 (17%) pregnancies occurred after stopping testosterone, 1 (1.6%) while taking testosterone irregularly, and 5 of 7 abortions occurred in participants who had been using testosterone in the past. Over half of the respondents desired at least one child, and a quarter reported fears of not getting pregnant. The majority of participants reporting using contraception (n=110, 60.1%), with condoms and pills used most commonly (n=90, 49.2% and n=62, 33.9% respectively). Methods of contraception used did not differ between testosterone users and non-users, except for hormonal IUDs (20% testosterone versus 7% non-testosterone). Thirty participants (16.4%) believed that testosterone was a form of contraception, and 10 (5.5%) participants reported that their healthcare providers advised testosterone as contraception. CONCLUSION: Transgender men use contraception and can experience pregnancy and abortion, even after transitioning socially and hormonally. Transgender men need counseling and care regarding reproductive health, including contraceptive and conception counseling. IMPLICATIONS: Providers should be aware that transgender men may desire pregnancy and use contraception; this study highlights the need for further research regarding fertility, fertility desires, and optimal contraception among transgender men.

Feasibility of Vaginal Hysterectomy for Female-to-Male Transgender Men.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hysterectomy data among a cohort of transgender men and nontransgender (ie, cisgender) women with a particular goal to evaluate the feasibility of vaginal hysterectomy among transgender men. METHODS: This cohort study includes all hysterectomies performed for benign indications on transgender men and cisgender women at a single academic county hospital from 2000 to 2012. Hysterectomy cases and patient gender were identified by billing records and confirmed by review of medical records. Primary study outcome was the hysterectomy route among transgender men compared with cisgender women. We also examined risk factors and operative outcomes. Student two-sided t tests, χ analysis, and descriptive statistics are presented; sensitivity analyses using regression techniques were performed. RESULTS: Hysterectomies for benign gynecologic procedures were performed in 883 people: 33 on transgender men and 850 on cisgender women. Transgender men were younger, had fewer pregnancies and deliveries, and smaller uteri. The leading indication for hysterectomy differed significantly: pain (85%) was most common among transgender men (compared with 22% in cisgender women; P<.001), whereas leiomyomas (64%) was most common for cisgender women (compared with 21% in transgender men; P<.001). Vaginal hysterectomies were performed in 24% transgender men and 42% of cisgender women. Estimated blood loss was less among transgender men (P=.002), but when uterine size and route of hysterectomy were considered, the difference between gender groups was no longer significant. There was no difference in patients experiencing complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: Transgender men and cisgender women have different preoperative characteristics and surgical indications. Vaginal hysterectomies have been successfully completed among transgender men. Because vaginal hysterectomy is a viable procedure for this population, it should be considered in surgical planning for transgender men.

Grief after second-trimester termination for fetal anomaly: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to qualitatively evaluate factors that contribute to and alleviate grief associated with termination of a pregnancy for a fetal anomaly and how that grief changes over time. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a longitudinal qualitative study of decision satisfaction, grief and coping among women undergoing termination (dilation and evacuation or induction termination) for fetal anomalies and other complications. We conducted three post-procedure interviews at 1-3 weeks, 3 months and 1 year. We used a generative thematic approach to analyze themes related to grief using NVivo software program. RESULTS: Of the 19 women in the overall study, 13 women's interviews were eligible for analysis of the grief experience. Eleven women completed all three interviews, and two completed only the first interview. Themes that contributed to grief include self-blame for the diagnosis, guilt around the termination decision, social isolation related to discomfort with abortion and grief triggered by reminders of pregnancy. Social support and time are mechanisms that serve to alleviate grief. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy termination in this context is experienced as a significant loss similar to other types of pregnancy loss and is also associated with real and perceived stigma. Women choosing termination for fetal anomalies may benefit from tailored counseling that includes dispelling misconceptions about cause of the anomaly. In addition, efforts to decrease abortion stigma and increase social support may improve women's experiences and lessen their grief response. IMPLICATIONS: The nature and course of grief after second-trimester termination for fetal anomaly are, as of yet, poorly understood. With improved understanding of how women grieve over time, clinicians can better recognize the significance of their patients' suffering and offer tools to direct their grief toward positive coping.

Transgender men who experienced pregnancy after female-to-male gender transitioning.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cross-sectional study of transgender men who had been pregnant and delivered after transitioning from female-to-male gender to help guide practice and further investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered a web-based survey from March to December 2013 to inquire about demographics, hormone use, fertility, pregnancy experience, and birth outcomes. Participants were not required to have been on hormone therapy to be eligible. We used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Forty-one self-described transgender men completed the survey. Before pregnancy, 61% (n=25) had used testosterone. Mean age at conception was 28 years with a standard deviation of 6.8 years. Eighty-eight percent of oocytes (n=36) came from participants' own ovaries. Half of the participants received prenatal care from a physician and 78% delivered in a hospital. Qualitative themes included low levels of health care provider awareness and knowledge about the unique needs of pregnant transgender men as well as a desire for resources to support transgender men through their pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Transgender men are achieving pregnancy after having socially, medically, or both transitioned. Themes from this study can be used to develop transgender-appropriate services and interventions that may improve the health and health care experiences of transgender men.

Summit on medical school education in sexual health: report of an expert consultation.

INTRODUCTION.: Medical education in sexual health in the United States and Canada is lacking. Medical students and practicing physicians report being underprepared to adequately address their patients' sexual health needs. Recent studies have shown little instruction on sexual health in medical schools and little consensus around the type of material medical students should learn. To address and manage sexual health issues, medical students need improved education and training. AIM.: This meeting report aims to present findings from a summit on the current state of medical school education in sexual health and provides recommended strategies to better train physicians to address sexual health. METHODS.: To catalyze improvements in sexual health education in medical schools, the summit brought together key U.S. and Canadian medical school educators, sexual health educators, and other experts. Attendees reviewed and discussed relevant data and potential recommendations in plenary sessions and then developed key recommendations in smaller breakout groups. RESULTS.: Findings presented at the summit demonstrate that the United States and Canada have high rates of poor sexual health outcomes and that sexual health education in medical schools is variable and in some settings diminished. To address these issues, government, professional, and student organizations are working on efforts to promote sexual health. Several universities already have sexual health curricula in place. Evaluation mechanisms will be essential for developing and refining sexual health education. CONCLUSIONS.: To be effective, sexual health curricula need to be integrated longitudinally throughout medical training. Identifying faculty champions and supporting student efforts are strategies to increase sexual health education. Sexual health requires a multidisciplinary approach, and cross-sector interaction between various public and private entities can help facilitate change. Areas important to address include: core content and placement in the curriculum; interprofessional education and training for integrated care; evaluation mechanisms; faculty development and cooperative strategies. Initial recommendations were drafted for each.