WPATH
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) provides evidence-based standards of care for transgender health.
LGBTQ+ Health
Affirming and inclusive healthcare provided in safe spaces
It’s important that we understand and honor all aspects of your identity. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, agender and non-binary patients can be at a higher risk for some health conditions. Knowing this in advance and communicating concerns with your provider can help you receive the best care for your needs.
Being open with your provider about your sexual orientation and gender identity is key to building a positive relationship to meet your health goals.
We want you to feel listened to, seen, valued and understood so that your individual needs can be addressed by our care teams. Your health journey should be a unique and patient-centered experience. At IU Health, we believe everyone deserves to be valued, accepted and treated with dignity and respect. It is our goal to create a compassionate and understanding healthcare space in which you feel comfortable to communicate openly with our providers. We’ve committed to respectful interactions for patients and providers through our Community Agreement, a standard to which we hold ourselves and our patients. We hope this can empower you to access healthcare equitably and comfortably.
Emergency and preventative sexual health care
If emergency medical needs arise suddenly from an encounter with someone who may have uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), IU Health can help. You can access post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in our emergency rooms and urgent care centers within 72 hours of HIV exposure. You can also access Doxycycline PEP, a post-exposure prophylaxis antibiotic for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. For infection prevention, your IU Health providers can offer medications like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) ahead of time through our primary care offices.
Gender care
IU Health offers gender-affirming care for adults, including gender transition therapy and mental health support.
- Along with our partners at the IU School of Medicine, we offer a variety of gender-affirming surgeries. IU Health providers adhere to the expert standards of care from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
- Our physical and occupational therapists provide pelvic floor therapy for gender-diverse patients. While binding, tucking and top and bottom surgeries are positively affirming, they may have negative effects on your pelvic floor. Physical or occupational therapy can help to strengthen your pelvic floor to prevent any lasting sexual discomfort, urinary or fecal incontinence or changes to your digestive system.
Gender-affirming support for children is available through the Gender Health Program at Riley Children's Health.
Sexual care
IU Health offers specialized programs and services for accessing HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention, screening and treatment:
- IU Health Positive Link offers STI testing, PrEP, HCV treatment, mental health support and primary care services for people living with HIV. Positive Link services are available at locations across Indiana.
- IU Health LifeCare is the largest provider of HIV treatment and medical prevention services in Indiana. Connect with LifeCare to access confidential HIV testing and care coordination, medication counseling and access to PEP and PrEP.
Organ-specific cancer screening
Cancer screenings are an important part of healthcare for people of all genders. IU Health offers organ-specific screenings for breast, cervical, skin, prostate, testicular, lung and colon cancers, among others. The timing for your cancer screenings is often based on your age, risk factors, family history and any concerning symptoms. While it can be confusing to navigate which screenings transgender people need, a general rule of thumb is that cancer screenings are based on your body structure, not your gender. If you have a prostate, it should be screened, and the same goes for a cervix or ovaries. Top surgery may not remove all the breast tissue in your chest, so breast cancer screenings remain important for anyone who was assigned female at birth (AFAB), regardless of gender.
Your IU Health care provider can also recommend vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, as well as the HPV vaccine to prevent certain types of cancer.
Mental and behavioral health
According to the American Psychiatric Association, people in the LGBTQ+ community are more than twice as likely as heterosexual people to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime, and this population is also historically underserved. IU Health offers mental health support to address depression, anxiety and other behavioral health needs. We also provide services specifically to support the transition process in gender-affirming therapies. Our goal is for you to have a welcoming, safe, affirming and inclusive environment in which to address any mental or emotional needs.
Primary care
It’s important to establish a primary care physician before you need one. Some insurances require a referral from a primary care physician before you can see a specialist, and you may not be able to get that referral from an urgent care center. Having an established primary care doctor will also help you avoid delays in treatment.
A primary care physician can also help you navigate other common health concerns you may encounter, such as:
What to Expect
We want you to feel listened to, seen, valued and understood so that your individual needs can be addressed by our care teams. Your health journey should be a unique and patient-centered experience. At IU Health, we believe everyone deserves to be valued, accepted and treated with dignity and respect. It is our goal to create a compassionate and understanding healthcare space in which you feel comfortable to communicate openly with our providers. We’ve committed to respectful interactions for patients and providers through our Community Agreement, a standard to which we hold ourselves and our patients. We hope this can empower you to access healthcare equitably and comfortably.
Emergency and preventative sexual health care
If emergency medical needs arise suddenly from an encounter with someone who may have uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), IU Health can help. You can access post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in our emergency rooms and urgent care centers within 72 hours of HIV exposure. You can also access Doxycycline PEP, a post-exposure prophylaxis antibiotic for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. For infection prevention, your IU Health providers can offer medications like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) ahead of time through our primary care offices.
Gender care
IU Health offers gender-affirming care for adults, including gender transition therapy and mental health support.
- Along with our partners at the IU School of Medicine, we offer a variety of gender-affirming surgeries. IU Health providers adhere to the expert standards of care from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
- Our physical and occupational therapists provide pelvic floor therapy for gender-diverse patients. While binding, tucking and top and bottom surgeries are positively affirming, they may have negative effects on your pelvic floor. Physical or occupational therapy can help to strengthen your pelvic floor to prevent any lasting sexual discomfort, urinary or fecal incontinence or changes to your digestive system.
Gender-affirming support for children is available through the Gender Health Program at Riley Children's Health.
Sexual care
IU Health offers specialized programs and services for accessing HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention, screening and treatment:
- IU Health Positive Link offers STI testing, PrEP, HCV treatment, mental health support and primary care services for people living with HIV. Positive Link services are available at locations across Indiana.
- IU Health LifeCare is the largest provider of HIV treatment and medical prevention services in Indiana. Connect with LifeCare to access confidential HIV testing and care coordination, medication counseling and access to PEP and PrEP.
Organ-specific cancer screening
Cancer screenings are an important part of healthcare for people of all genders. IU Health offers organ-specific screenings for breast, cervical, skin, prostate, testicular, lung and colon cancers, among others. The timing for your cancer screenings is often based on your age, risk factors, family history and any concerning symptoms. While it can be confusing to navigate which screenings transgender people need, a general rule of thumb is that cancer screenings are based on your body structure, not your gender. If you have a prostate, it should be screened, and the same goes for a cervix or ovaries. Top surgery may not remove all the breast tissue in your chest, so breast cancer screenings remain important for anyone who was assigned female at birth (AFAB), regardless of gender.
Your IU Health care provider can also recommend vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, as well as the HPV vaccine to prevent certain types of cancer.
Mental and behavioral health
According to the American Psychiatric Association, people in the LGBTQ+ community are more than twice as likely as heterosexual people to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime, and this population is also historically underserved. IU Health offers mental health support to address depression, anxiety and other behavioral health needs. We also provide services specifically to support the transition process in gender-affirming therapies. Our goal is for you to have a welcoming, safe, affirming and inclusive environment in which to address any mental or emotional needs.
Primary care
It’s important to establish a primary care physician before you need one. Some insurances require a referral from a primary care physician before you can see a specialist, and you may not be able to get that referral from an urgent care center. Having an established primary care doctor will also help you avoid delays in treatment.
A primary care physician can also help you navigate other common health concerns you may encounter, such as:
IYG
The Indiana Youth Group (IYG) offers free services to people between the ages of 12 to 24 who self-identify as LGBTQ+, as well as their ally peers. IYG offers a variety of programs and services to support social, housing and advocacy needs.
Gender Nexus
Gender Nexus offers care coordination, counseling, community groups, education and advocacy for gender-diverse people in Indiana.
Mental health America
The National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a nationwide alliance of more than 600 local affiliates working improve the lives of people living with mental illness and their loved ones.
Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP)
The BCCP through the Indiana Department of Health provides access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic testing and treatment for underserved and underinsured Indiana residents who qualify for services.
HIV Modernization Movement (HMM)
HMM is a statewide network of people living with HIV and allies who provide legal and legislative resources.
Indiana Recovery Network (IRN)
The IRN removes barriers to accessing sustainable recovery services, information and resources in Indiana.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This lifeline is a direct connection to specialists trained in suicide and crisis prevention that’s available 24/7. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 from anywhere in Indiana.
Trans Lifeline
This hotline offers emotional and financial support directly to transgender people in crisis and is staffed by the trans community. Reach the Trans Lifeline by dialing 877.565.8860.
The Trevor Project
The goal of the Trevor Project is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people through crisis support, advocacy, research and education. To reach the Trevor Project Crisis line, call 1.866.488.7386 or text 678-678.
Resources
WPATH
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) provides evidence-based standards of care for transgender health.
IYG
The Indiana Youth Group (IYG) offers free services to people between the ages of 12 to 24 who self-identify as LGBTQ+, as well as their ally peers. IYG offers a variety of programs and services to support social, housing and advocacy needs.
Gender Nexus
Gender Nexus offers care coordination, counseling, community groups, education and advocacy for gender-diverse people in Indiana.
Mental health America
The National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a nationwide alliance of more than 600 local affiliates working improve the lives of people living with mental illness and their loved ones.
Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP)
The BCCP through the Indiana Department of Health provides access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic testing and treatment for underserved and underinsured Indiana residents who qualify for services.
HIV Modernization Movement (HMM)
HMM is a statewide network of people living with HIV and allies who provide legal and legislative resources.
Indiana Recovery Network (IRN)
The IRN removes barriers to accessing sustainable recovery services, information and resources in Indiana.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This lifeline is a direct connection to specialists trained in suicide and crisis prevention that’s available 24/7. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 from anywhere in Indiana.
Trans Lifeline
This hotline offers emotional and financial support directly to transgender people in crisis and is staffed by the trans community. Reach the Trans Lifeline by dialing 877.565.8860.
The Trevor Project
The goal of the Trevor Project is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people through crisis support, advocacy, research and education. To reach the Trevor Project Crisis line, call 1.866.488.7386 or text 678-678.
