Gender-Affirming Endometriosis Care: Insights with Dr. Madelena Giacomo
Endometriosis is often described as a “women’s health issue,” but this framing overlooks the lived experiences of transgender and gender diverse people who also live with the condition. At the 16th World Congress on Endometriosis in Sydney, Dr. Madelena Giacomo—a trans and non-binary researcher and healthcare professional—shared groundbreaking insights into the urgent need for gender-affirming endometriosis care.
Why Gender-Affirming Endometriosis Care Matters
Key takeaways from the video include the importance of gender affirming care and highlights the challenges and barriers that are faced such as:
- Representation gaps: Endometriosis research has historically excluded trans and gender diverse populations.
- Healthcare fragmentation: Services for endometriosis and gender-affirming care often operate in silos, leaving patients without integrated support.
- Community building: Research projects have helped trans and non-binary individuals connect, share experiences, and advocate for inclusive care.
Without gender-affirming approaches, many patients remain invisible in both research and practice.
Challenges in Gender-Affirming Endometriosis Care
Dr. Giacomo identifies several systemic barriers:
- Fragmented systems: Endometriosis services and gender-affirming care rarely intersect.
- Limited recognition: Trans and non-binary patients often struggle to have their symptoms acknowledged.
- Policy gaps: Health organisations and patient advocacy groups need stronger collaboration to ensure inclusivity.
Recommendations for Inclusive Care
From the focus groups and ongoing research, several actionable steps emerged:
- Integrate services: Build bridges between endometriosis care and gender-affirming healthcare.
- Expand research: Include trans and gender diverse populations in clinical studies and data sets.
- Educate providers: Train healthcare professionals to deliver culturally competent, gender-affirming care.
- Empower communities: Support peer networks that foster connection and advocacy.
This work forms part of the Priority Populations grant awarded by the Department of Health and Aged Care to Endometriosis Australia in April 2024. The purpose of which is to support the development of endometriosis-specific media, awareness and information materials that are tailored to priority populations for enhanced accessibility and understanding of endometriosis.
For more videos in the series, CLICK HERE
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