White Coats, Closed Doors: When Trans Women Are Refused Care
The gynecologist in Yaniv’s current complaint has not made public statements. However similar cases raise key questions about medical training and care standards for transgender patients.
A similar case in France involved a doctor who declined to treat a transgender woman. “I told her that I’m not competent, but I can guide you. I can refer you to services that can take better care of you,” the doctor told the media. Though he first cited professional limits, he later made comments about treating “real women,” which he later apologized for.
Medical experts point out physical differences that affect treatment approaches. “Just because it’s a cavity doesn’t mean it’s a classic vagina,” explained one doctor who had refused a trans woman care, while admitting his lack of knowledge about transgender patients. Neo-vaginas created through gender-affirming surgery differ from natal female anatomy, often needing specialized knowledge.
A gynecology expert explained: “There is no recommendation for a transgender woman to have regular gynecological check-ups, unless she has a surgical problem related to the operation, because she doesn’t have a uterus or a cervix.” Many medical schools have only recently begun teaching transgender healthcare. Several universities now offer special training for healthcare providers to better serve transgender patients.
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