Highlights Gender dysphoria describes the distress and discomfort a person feels when their gender identity doesn’t match their assigned sex at birth. Transgender people and other gender-diverse people can experience gender dysphoria. Diagnosis of gender dysphoria requires the presence of two or more of the clinically significant symptoms defined within the DSM-5. Gender-affirming care and…
Highlights Sexual orientation describes your physical, romantic, or emotional attraction to other people. Research shows that sexual orientation can change after a transgender person transitions. Research supports the idea that sexual orientation and gender are more fluid than fixed for many people. Transgender people may be more likely to experience changes in sexual orientation after…
Highlights Transgender women often struggle with fertility issues as a result of long-term hormonal therapies. Fertility options for transgender women include “natural” conception, sperm cryopreservation, and microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). The extended sperm search and microfreeze (ESSM) procedure allows providers to find and preserve sperm in people with low sperm counts who were unsuccessful…
Highlights Prostate cancer is common among American men. Causes of prostate cancer are unclear, but researchers have identified several risk factors in men. Sleep deprivation may increase men’s risk for prostate cancer. A healthy sleep routine may help to boost your health and protect against prostate cancer. Recent research suggests that men with sleep problems…
Highlights Intersex is a general term that describes bodies that do not fit within traditional male/female sex categories. There is a wide variety of intersex traits, including differences in genitalia, internal reproductive anatomy, hormones, and chromosomes. Being intersex is not a disease or a medical problem. Intersex surgeries performed in early childhood can have lasting…
Highlights Minoxidil is approved by the FDA as a topical medication to treat female pattern hair loss and as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure. Oral minoxidil can be used off-label to treat hair loss in women. Sometimes providers will prescribe both oral and topical minoxidil to support hair growth in women. The…
Highlights The terms transgender and transsexual have separate meanings. Transgender can be used as an umbrella term, while transsexual cannot. The term transsexual can be seen as outdated or offensive, so some people prefer not to use this terminology. You can show respect for others by using the terminology they use to describe themselves. You…
Highlights Gender and sex are not the same thing. Gender identity describes a person’s sense of their gender and how they express it. Gender and sexual orientation are two related but separate aspects of a person’s identity. Being transgender or nonbinary is not a mental health condition. There are steps you can take to be…
Highlights Research has established a connection between COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction (ED). Men with existing cardiovascular conditions are at an increased risk for developing ED after a COVID-19 infection. Chronic stress and anxiety related to COVID may also contribute to ED. The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Most men with ED…
Highlights Syphilis is a bacterial infection most commonly spread through sexual contact. Syphilis develops in stages, with different signs and symptoms in each stage. Syphilis can become debilitating and even deadly if it’s left untreated. The only way to know if you have syphilis is to be tested, either through your provider or by using…