Trans, non-binary and gender diverse adults' experiences of accessing sexual healthcare: a qualitative exploration
- 1School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
- 2Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society, School of Population Health Sciences, CMVM, University of Edinburgh
- 3Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde
Abstract
Background: Trans, non-binary and gender diverse (TNBGD) sexual function has historically been narrowly defined as physical capacities following medical and surgical gender affirming (GA) interventions; and this population's sexual health has been researched more in terms of external influences considered risky rather than being founded in individuals' desires and needs. This can produce discrepancies between services and people who access them. This study explores the service-related barriers, facilitators and compensatory strategies for TNBGD people seeking healthcare related to sexual function.
Methods: Based on qualitative interview data from n = 19 TNBGD adults in the UK, the dataset was deductively analyzed using Levesque's framework of healthcare access.
Results: TNBGD people face barriers in distance and transport to appropriate sexual health services, overlaps between sexual healthcare and GA services, and limits in professionals' TNBGD specific knowledge and cultural competence. To navigate these TNGBD people pursued independent knowledge acquisition, were selective during clinical interactions and access, and sought to meet their needs outside clinical settings. The analytical themes demonstrate varied barriers and their interrelatedness. For example, acceptability of a service was informed by the appropriateness of clinician's knowledge and interactions. In turn, TNBGD people's anticipation of un (der) met needs motivated compensatory measures, such as seeking information online or from peers before approaching formal services or sometimes instead of approaching them.
Conclusions: Healthcare services' design and delivery can present significant barriers to TNBGD adults seeking healthcare to support their sexual function. Providers' ways of interacting may offset some of the barriers and TNBGD adults may deploy strategies that enable them to access care that leads to satisfactory health outcomes. However, while significant barriers persist, TNBGD adults are liable to have unmet needs and consequent health inequalities.
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BibTeX
@article{burrows2026trans,
title = {{Trans, non-binary and gender diverse adults' experiences of accessing sexual healthcare: a qualitative exploration}},
author = {George Burrows and Ingrid Young and Craig Donnachie and Kirstin R. Mitchell},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1871652},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1871652/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Trans, non-binary and gender diverse adults' experiences of accessing sexual healthcare: a qualitative exploration
AU - George Burrows
AU - Ingrid Young
AU - Craig Donnachie
AU - Kirstin R. Mitchell
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1871652
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1871652/full
AB - Background: Trans, non-binary and gender diverse (TNBGD) sexual function has historically been narrowly defined as physical capacities following medical and surgical gender affirming (GA) interventions; and this population's sexual health has been researched more in terms of external influences considered risky rather than being founded in individuals' desires and needs. This can produce discrepancies between services and people who access them. This study explores the service-related barriers, facilitators and compensatory strategies for TNBGD people seeking healthcare related to sexual function. Methods: Based on qualitative interview data from n = 19 TNBGD adults in the UK, the dataset was deductively analyzed using Levesque's framework of healthcare access. Results: TNBGD people face barriers in distance and transport to appropriate sexual health services, overlaps between sexual healthcare and GA services, and limits in professionals' TNBGD specific knowledge and cultural competence. To navigate these TNGBD people pursued independent knowledge acquisition, were selective during clinical interactions and access, and sought to meet their needs outside clinical settings. The analytical themes demonstrate varied barriers and their interrelatedness. For example, acceptability of a service was informed by the appropriateness of clinician's knowledge and interactions. In turn, TNBGD people's anticipation of un (der) met needs motivated compensatory measures, such as seeking information online or from peers before approaching formal services or sometimes instead of approaching them. Conclusions: Healthcare services' design and delivery can present significant barriers to TNBGD adults seeking healthcare to support their sexual function. Providers' ways of interacting may offset some of the barriers and TNBGD adults may deploy strategies that enable them to access care that leads to satisfactory health outcomes. However, while significant barriers persist, TNBGD adults are liable to have unmet needs and consequent health inequalities.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -