Medical Mistrust Mediates the Relationship Between Nonconsensual Intersex Surgery and Healthcare Avoidance Among Intersex Adults.

BACKGROUND: Intersex individuals experience poor health due, in part, to healthcare avoidance. Nonconsensual intersex surgery may contribute to medical mistrust and avoidance among intersex populations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and healthcare avoidance among intersex populations and to examine if medical mistrust mediates this relationship. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected in 2018 and analyzed in 2022. Participants completed a survey collecting information on demographics, medical mistrust, history of nonconsensual surgery, and history of postponing healthcare. One hundred nine participants with valid responses to all regression model variables were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression models controlling for age, race, and income, examined the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and postponing preventive and emergency healthcare. Mediation analyses of cross-sectional data examined whether medical mistrust mediated the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and postponing preventive and emergency healthcare. RESULTS: Mean medical mistrust score was 2.8 (range = 1-4; standard deviation = 0.8), 49.7% of participants had nonconsensual surgery in their lifetime, 45.9% postponed emergency healthcare, and 61.5% postponed preventive healthcare in their lifetime. Nonconsensual surgery was associated with increased odds of delaying preventive (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.17; confidence interval [CI] = 1.76-9.88; p = .016) and emergency healthcare (AOR = 4.26; CI = 1.71-10.59; p = .002). Medical mistrust mediated the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and delaying preventive (indirect effect = 1.78; CI = 1.16-3.67) and emergency healthcare (indirect effect = 1.66; CI = 1.04-3.30). CONCLUSIONS: Nonconsensual surgery contributed to healthcare avoidance in this intersex population by increasing medical mistrust. To decrease healthcare avoidance, intersex health promotion interventions should restrict nonconsensual surgery and build trust through trauma-informed care.

Many intersex people experience nonconsensual surgery during childhood to alter their genitalia and other anatomy. Some intersex people who have experienced nonconsensual surgery develop subsequent mistrust in medical providers and avoidance of healthcare. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and delay in emergency and preventive healthcare among intersex adults. Additionally, this study aimed to understand whether mistrust in medical providers mediates the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and delaying emergency and preventive healthcare. This study found that ever having nonconsensual surgery was positively associated with delaying both emergency and preventive healthcare among intersex adults. Additionally, this study found that increased mistrust in medical providers mediated the relationship between nonconsensual surgery and delaying emergency and preventive healthcare. Interventions aimed at improving the healthcare engagement of intersex adults may focus on building trust between intersex patients and healthcare providers and restricting nonconsensual intersex surgeries.

Differences of Sex Development: Current Issues and Controversies.

Differences of sex development (DSD) encompass a broad range of conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex is not typically male or female. Terms used to describe DSD are controversial, and continuously evolving. An individualized, multidisciplinary approach is key to both the diagnosis and management of DSD. Recent advances in DSD care include expanded genetic testing options, a more nuanced approach to gonadal management, and an emphasis on shared decision-making, particularly related to external genital surgical procedures. The timing of DSD surgery is currently being questioned and debated in both medical and advocacy/activism spheres.

Fostering an inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA+ people in radiology and radiation oncology.

The inclusion and celebration of LGBTQIA+ staff in radiology and radiation oncology departments is crucial in developing a diverse and thriving workplace. Despite the substantial social change in Australia, LGBTQIA+ people still experience harassment and exclusion, negatively impacting their well-being and workplace productivity. We need to be proactive in creating policies that are properly implemented and translate to a safe and inclusive space for marginalised groups. In this work, we outline the role we all can play in creating inclusive environments, for both individuals and leaders working in radiology and radiation oncology. We can learn how to avoid normative assumptions about gender and sexuality, respect people's identities and speak out against witnessed discrimination or slights. Robust policies are needed to protect LGBTQIA+ members from discrimination and provide equal access across other pertinent parts of work life such as leave entitlements, representation in data collection and safe bathroom access. We all deserve to feel safe and respected at work and further effort is needed to ensure this extends to LGBTQIA+ staff in the radiology and radiation oncology workforces.

Mixed Study Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Sexuality and Sexual Rehabilitation in LGBTQI+ Adults Living With Chronic Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review how sexuality is experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex plus (other gender identifies and sexual orientations) (LGBTQI+) persons living with chronic disease. DATA SOURCES: PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Web of Science were searched from date of inception to November 2021 for English language publications. Reference lists of relevant publications were also searched. STUDY SELECTION: Eligible studies reported on sexuality among LGBTQI+ persons living with chronic disease. The search yielded 12,626 records; 665 full texts were assessed for eligibility and 63 documents included (59 unique studies). Study quality was rated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. DATA EXTRACTION: Characteristics of included studies were recorded independently by 2 authors. Differences were resolved through discussion or with a third author. DATA SYNTHESIS: A sequential, exploratory mixed-studies approach was used for synthesis. Pooled analysis indicated that among gay and bisexual men living with prostate cancer, 68.3% experienced erectile dysfunction and 62.9% had insufficient quality of erection to engage in anal sex. Among gay and bisexual men living with HIV or AIDS, 29.3% experienced loss of libido and 25.3% experienced erectile dysfunction. Although sexual dysfunction was common, LGBTQI+ persons had difficulty accessing appropriate sexual counseling and identified negative attitudes and heteronormative assumptions by health care providers as significant barriers to sexual health. Interventions to address sexuality focused entirely on reduction of risky sexual behavior among men living with HIV or AIDS. Women, transgender persons, and intersex persons were largely excluded from the research studies. CONCLUSIONS: Current understandings of the effect of chronic disease on LGBTQI+ sexuality are limited and mostly focus on the male sexual response. LGBTQI+ persons who experience difficulty with sexuality struggle to identify appropriate services, and there is an absence of evidence-based interventions to promote sexual health and well-being in this population.

Violações de direitos humanos nos procedimentos normalizadores em crianças intersexo / Violaciones de derechos humanos en procedimientos de normalización de niños intersexuales / Human rights violations in normalizing procedures on intersex children

No Brasil, crianças intersexo ainda são submetidas a procedimentos para designação de sexo binário no nascimento e a intervenções corporais subsequentes. A Resolução nº 1.664/2003, do Conselho Federal de Medicina, legitima intervenções sobre as corporalidades intersexo, se constituindo como o único instrumento normativo nacional que trata sobre o tema. No entanto, as demandas advindas do ativismo político internacional intersexo vêm expondo o quanto as intervenções precoces na infância para a designação de um sexo binário mutilam os corpos das crianças e violam uma série de direitos humanos. Esta pesquisa visa identificar como os procedimentos precoces, irreversíveis e normalizadores, realizados sem o consentimento da pessoa intersexo, revelam-se violadores de direitos humanos. Sob as lentes do conceito de (in)justiça epistêmica, partimos das disputas em torno da produção de evidências que embasam as práticas médicas. Demonstramos como esses procedimentos violam os direitos humanos à saúde, à integridade corporal e à autonomia e os direitos sexuais e reprodutivos, e analisamos quais têm sido as estratégias para evitar essas violações. Propomos que pessoas intersexo estejam no centro das decisões sobre o próprio corpo e que sejam debatidos, junto a pacientes e familiares, caminhos não cirúrgicos e proibidas intervenções precoces, invasivas, mutilatórias, prejudiciais, cosméticas e não consentidas nos corpos de crianças intersexo. A proposição de mudanças em instrumentos norteadores que deixem de regular esses corpos é necessária para, a partir de uma perspectiva interdisciplinar, incluir instâncias bioéticas e de direitos humanos, assim como pessoas do ativismo político intersexo.

En Brasil, los niños intersexuales todavía están sujetos a procedimientos de asignación de sexo binario al nacer y a intervenciones corporales posteriores. La Resolución nº 1.664/2003, del Consejo Federal de Medicina, asegura las intervenciones sobre corporalidades intersexuales y es el único instrumento normativo nacional sobre el tema. Sin embargo, las demandas que surgieron desde el activismo político internacional intersexual plantean cómo las intervenciones tempranas en la infancia para la asignación de género binario mutilan el cuerpo de los niños y vulneran una serie de derechos humanos. Esta investigación tiene por objetivo identificar cómo los procedimientos tempranos, irreversibles y normalizadores, realizados sin el consentimiento de la persona intersexual producen violadores de los derechos humanos. Con base en el concepto de (in)justicia epistémica, partimos de las disputas en torno a la producción de evidencia que subyace a las prácticas médicas. Demostramos cómo estos procedimientos vulneran los derechos humanos a la salud, la integridad y autonomía corporales, y los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, además, analizamos qué estrategias se han utilizado para evitarlos. Debatimos que las personas intersexuales deben estar en el centro de las decisiones sobre sus propios cuerpos y que se discutan con pacientes y familiares formas no quirúrgicas e intervenciones tempranas, invasivas, mutiladoras, dañinas, cosméticas y no consensuales en los cuerpos de los niños intersexuales. Los cambios en los instrumentos rectores para que dejen de regular estos cuerpos son necesarios para que, desde una perspectiva interdisciplinaria, se incluyan instancias de bioética y derechos humanos, así como a personas del activismo político intersexual.

Intersex children in Brazil are still subjected to "normalizing" surgical procedures and subsequent bodily interventions to make their bodies conform to binary views of sex. Resolution n. 1,664/2003 of the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine legitimizes interventions upon intersex bodies, being the only national normative instrument that address the subject. However, the demands of international intersex political activism have denounced how early childhood interventions for sex designation mutilate children's bodies and violate a number of human rights. This research discusses how early, irreversible, and normalizing procedures performed without the intersex person's consent are human rights violations. Based on the concept of epistemic (in)justice, we first look at the disputes surrounding the evidence that underpin medical practices. We demonstrate how such procedures violate human rights to health, body integrity, autonomy, and sexual and reproductive rights, analyzing which strategies were put into place to prevent them. We propose that intersex people be at the center of decisions regarding their bodies, that non-surgical paths be discussed with patients and their family members, and that early, invasive, mutilating, harmful, cosmetic, and unconsented surgical interventions on intersex children be prohibited. Guiding tools must introduce changes into its regulatory bias to, from an interdisciplinary perspective, include bioethical and human rights bodies, as well as intersex activists.

Exploring Factors Associated with Decisions about Feminizing Genitoplasty in Differences of Sex Development.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Infants with genital development considered atypical for assigned female sex may undergo feminizing genitoplasty (clitoroplasty and/or vaginoplasty) in early life. We sought to identify factors associated with parent/caregiver decisions regarding genitoplasty for their children with genital virilization. DESIGN: Longitudinal, observational study SETTING: Twelve pediatric centers in the United States with multidisciplinary differences/disorders of sex development clinics, 2015-2020 PARTICIPANTS: Children under 2 years old with genital appearance atypical for female sex of rearing and their parents/caregivers INTERVENTIONS/OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on the child's diagnosis and anatomic characteristics before surgery were extracted from the medical record. Parents/caregivers completed questionnaires on psychosocial distress, experience of uncertainty, cosmetic appearance of their child's genitalia, and demographic characteristics. Urologists rated cosmetic appearance. For 58 patients from the study cohort with genital virilization being raised as girls or gender-neutral, we compared these data across 3 groups based on the child's subsequent surgical intervention: (i) no surgery (n = 5), (ii) vaginoplasty without clitoroplasty (V-only) (n = 15), and (iii) vaginoplasty and clitoroplasty (V+C) (n = 38). RESULTS: Fathers' and urologists' ratings of genital appearance were more favorable in the no-surgery group than in the V-only and V+C groups. Clitorophallic length was greater in the V+C group compared with the V-only group, with substantial overlap between groups. Mothers' depressive and anxious symptoms were lower in the no-surgery group compared with the V-only and V+C groups. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decisions were associated with fathers' and urologists' ratings of genital appearance, the child's anatomic characteristics, and mothers' depressive and anxious symptoms. Further research on surgical decision-making is needed to inform counseling practices.

Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, and Depression Among Thai Transgender Women Before and After Male-to-Female Gender Confirmation Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have reported low quality of life scores and a high prevalence of depression among transgender women in Thailand; however, there is still little research on the effects of gender confirmation surgery among this population. AIM: This study aims to prospectively evaluate the overall quality of life, self-esteem, and depression status among male-to-female transgender individuals in Thailand. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2020 and included 41 participants who underwent gender confirmation surgery. All participants underwent a psychiatric evaluation and received 3 sets of questionnaires preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively to evaluate quality of life, self-esteem, and depression: the Thai abbreviated version of the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. We examined scores from each questionnaire and depression status before and after gender confirmation surgery, with P < .05 considered significant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: This study's primary outcomes measured quality of life, depression, and self-esteem before and after gender confirmation surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-seven participants completed all sets of questionnaires (response rate 90.2%). The mean age of the participants was 26.2 ± 4.7 years at the time of surgery. Five (13.5%) participants met the criteria for mild depression preoperatively, but none did postoperatively. There were no signs of major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, or suicidal attempts in any of the participants. There was a significant improvement in quality of life (P < .001) and self-esteem (P < .001), as well as lower depression (P < .001) after gender confirmation surgery. The greatest quality of life improvement was related to participants' sexual relationships. CONCLUSION: Male-to-female gender confirmation surgery significantly contributes to improving quality of life, self-esteem, and depression in Thai transgender women. Persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria who intend to undergo gender confirmation surgery should be supported by healthcare providers in accessing the medical facilities and treatment needed to improve their quality of life. Chaovanalikit T, Wirairat K, Sriswadpong P. Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, and Depression Among Thai Transgender Women Before and After Male-to-Female Gender Confirmation Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Observational Study. Sex Med 2022;10:100533.

Attitudes toward fertility-related care and education of adolescents and young adults with differences of sex development: Informing future care models.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with differences of sex development (DSD) face many challenging healthcare decisions. Fertility preservation is an emerging but experimental option for AYA with DSD. Optimal counseling regarding future fertility options has not yet been defined for this population. OBJECTIVE: To examine the fertility-related attitudes and experiences of AYA with DSD to inform future care needs. STUDY DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted from 2015 to 2018 with AYA with a DSD diagnosis who were seen in our multidisciplinary clinic. Topics covered included attitudes toward fertility and family building, fertility-related communication, and perspectives on fertility-related education and decision-making. Qualitative content analysis was performed using an inductive and deductive approach. RESULTS: Eight AYA (median age 17 years, range 14-28) with various DSD diagnoses (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and 46, XY DSD unspecified) participated. AYA were open to many options related to family building and fertility preservation, desired full disclosure of information, and recognized the importance of an age-related progression to autonomy in decision-making. Spanning all topics, the following were salient: 1) diversity of attitudes and care preferences amongst participants, 2) evolution of these attitudes and preferences over time, and 3) an emphasis on individualization of education and care (Fig. 1). DISCUSSION: This qualitative study provided information on the fertility-related experiences and attitudes of AYA with DSD. Prior studies have shown a diversity of patient and parent preferences in many aspects of DSD research as well as low rates of fertility-related education and satisfaction therefrom. The knowledge gained from this study can be used to guide individualized and compassionate education and care surrounding the complex and evolving topic of fertility. This study is limited by interviews being conducted prior to the implementation of our DSD-specific gonadal tissue cryopreservation protocol. Despite this, the fertility-related patient experiences and attitudes prior to protocol implementation are important to present. The results from the preliminary analysis of these data were used to inform a new, ongoing qualitative study to explore the patient experience with fertility preservation in a more targeted fashion. CONCLUSIONS: The perspectives on fertility and related healthcare experiences of AYA with DSD demonstrated openness to many family-building options, a desire for full disclosure of information, care needs that evolved over time, and a recognition of the importance of eventual autonomy in decision-making. A flexible and individualized approach by the provider can optimize fertility-related healthcare experiences for AYA with DSD.

Intersexuality/Differences of Sex Development through the Discourse of Intersex People, Their Relatives, and Health Experts: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Intersex/differences of sex development (DSD) conditions are divergences among genitalia, gonads, and chromosome patterns. These variances have been present for millennia and socially defined according to the cultural system established. The aim of this study is to describe the perspectives of adult intersex/DSD people, their relatives, and intersex/DSD expert professionals in Spain. A descriptive qualitative study design was adopted. The study was carried out in several locations in Spain. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted and addressed to 12 participants (4 intersex/DSD people, 3 relatives, and 5 professional experts). A total of 4 spheres, 10 categories, and 26 subcategories were obtained. The number of verbatims obtained in each of the spheres described were intersex/DSD as a community (n = 54), health sphere approach (n = 77), law sphere approach (n = 12), and psychosocial approach (n = 73). Regarding intersex/DSD as a community sphere, there is a clear need of promoting education on sex and body diversity. With respect to the health sphere, it is mentioned the inadequacy of services and how this has a negative impact on the health of intersex/DSD people. Regarding the law sphere, it is highlighted the need of designing legislations at a national level which protect and defend the rights of intersex/DSD people. Regarding the psychosocial sphere, these people suffer from social isolation, secrecy, shame, self-identity questioning, and mental disorders that negatively impact their quality of life.

Vivência intersexos: identidade, autopercepção, designação sexual e seus desdobramentos / Intersex experience: identity, self-perception, sexual designation, and their unfoldings / Vivencias de intersexuales: identidad, autopercepción, reasignación sexual y sus despliegues

A intersexualidade ainda é considerada uma deformidade patológica, bem como é alvo de intervenções cirúrgicas corretivas que visam enquadrar pessoas intersexos nos padrões binários de sexo, gênero e orientação sexual socialmente aceitos. Desse modo, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os sentidos produzidos por intersexos às intervenções cirúrgicas de designação sexual e suas consequências, ainda que não tenham realizado procedimentos cirúrgicos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa de corte transversal cujos dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário online para intersexos e interessados de uma rede social-virtual. Oito intersexos participaram da pesquisa e as informações obtidas foram organizadas a partir de uma análise de conteúdo temática em quatro categorias: a) violação de direitos sobre a autodeterminação de sexo-gênero; b) tentativas de invisibilização da experiência de intersexos; c) despreparo da equipe de saúde de referência; e d) centralidade dos ativismos intersexos. Os resultados destacam que: as cirurgias são realizadas sem o consentimento dos intersexos e impactam sua subjetividade e relações sociais; há a reprodução de expectativas pelo intersexo, sua família e pelos profissionais da saúde em torno dos binarismos de sexo-gênero; há a necessidade dos ativismos políticos responderem às demandas dessa população. As constituições de sexo e de gênero ilustradas pelas cirurgias de designação sexual são produtos culturais pautados num sistema normativo binário e cisheterossexual que reproduz e perpetua discriminações, estigmas e violências. Assim, é papel da Psicologia contribuir para a compreensão dessa temática e para a incrementação de políticas públicas na saúde, educação e em assistência social para essa população.(AU)

Intersexuality is still considered a pathological deformity, requiring corrective surgical interventions to fit intersex persons into socially determined binary patterns of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the meanings attributed to surgical interventions for sex reassignment and their consequences according to intersex persons who underwent or not the procedure. This qualitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with data collected by means of an online questionnaire for intersex and interested people, made available in a social network. Eight intersexes participated in the survey. The collected data underwent thematic content analysis and were organized into four categories: a) violations to sex/gender self-determination rights; b) attempts to invisibilize the experiences of intersex persons; c) unpreparedness of healthcare team; and d) intersexes activism. The results highlight the performance of these surgeries without intersex persons' consent, as well as their impacts on subjectivity and social relations; the reproduction of expectations around sex/gender binarism on the part of these individuals themselves, their families, and health professionals; and the need for political activism to respond to their demands. The constitutions of sex and gender illustrated by sexual designation surgeries are cultural products based on a binary and cishetero-normative system that reproduces discrimination, stigma, and violence. In this scenario, Psychology plays a key role in contributing to the understanding of this issue, advancing public policies aimed at promoting health, education, and social assistance to this population.(AU)

La intersexualidad todavía se considera como una deformación patológica, así como está sujeta a intervenciones quirúrgicas correctivas que tienen por objeto encajar a los individuos intersexuales en los patrones binarios de sexo, género y orientación sexual. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los significados que tienen para los intersexuales las intervenciones quirúrgicas de reasignación sexual y sus consecuencias, incluso para aquellos que no las habían realizado. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, transversal, realizada por medio de un cuestionario destinado a un grupo de intersexuales e interesados en una red social en internet. Ocho intersexuales participaron, y los dados se organizaron a partir del análisis de contenido temático en categorías: a) violación de los derechos sobre la autodeterminación de sexo-género; b) intentos de hacer invisible la experiencia intersexual; c) falta de preparación del equipo sanitario; y d) centralidad del activismo intersexual. Los principales resultados apuntaron la realización de estas cirugías sin el consentimiento de los intersexuales y que estas tienen repercusiones negativas en la subjetividad y las relaciones sociales de ellos; la reproducción de las expectativas personales, familiares y de los profesionales de la salud en torno a los binarismos de género; la necesidad de un activismo colectivo para responder a las demandas de esta población. Las constituciones de sexo y género ilustradas por las cirugías de reasignación sexual de intersexuales son productos culturales con base en un sistema normativo binario y cisheterosexual que reproduce discriminación, estigmas y violencia. Es el papel de la Psicología contribuir a la comprensión de esta cuestión para animar las políticas públicas de salud, educación y asistencia social a esta población.(AU)