LGBTQIA+ medical care
ARC is committed to managing the health and wellness of everyone in our large and diverse community, including LGBTQIA+ people, in all stages of life. The first step is maintaining your health by scheduling an annual visit with your primary care provider for a health status review, physical exam, and to stay up-to-date with preventive care measures.
Preventive care includes age and health status appropriate immunizations, blood tests, and cancer screenings such as a mammogram and colonoscopy. We also recommend discussing potential mental health concerns at these visits. You'll find that many health recommendations are similar for everyone, and others are shaped by such factors as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age. Similarly, each group within the LGBTQIA+ community may have its own specific health needs.
Open conversations with your provider
Having an open dialogue and honest conversations with your provider about your life, including sexual orientation and gender identity, helps us provide optimal care for your needs. Your provider and clinical team are committed to your privacy.
Building trust and being open with your provider might be difficult, and we understand, so always feel free to bring someone close to you. We want you to feel comfortable being yourself, including knowing and using your preferred name and/or pronouns. Our goal is to provide affirming, objective, person-centered care to improve your health and wellness. Sharing information allows your healthcare team to better connect you with resources to support all aspects of your physical, mental, and sexual health needs.
Gay and bisexual men's health
The top health risks for cisgender men are heart disease, prostate cancer, and unintentional injury. With a healthy diet, regular check-ups, and physical activity, most health risks are preventable and/or manageable.
Your provider may recommend the below depending on your age and other risk factors:
Lesbian and bisexual women's health
The top health risks for cisgender women include chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. It is important to have annual preventive visits with your provider to discuss health issues personally impacting you.
Your provider may recommend the below vaccines and screenings based on your age and other risk factors:
Transgender and non-binary people's health
For our transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming patients, please share with your healthcare team your personal journey. We encourage open and honest communication about your body, your questions, and your concerns.
If you are considering transitioning, talk with your provider about where you are hoping to go in the future. Feel free to talk about your options for social and medical transition, along with the risks and benefits associated with both. For example, transgender and gender-diverse patients can be at increased risk of certain cancers if undergoing medical transition, so it is important to discuss those risks in routine screenings.
If you are looking for a physician with the expertise to assess, recommend, and initiate a treatment plan for gender transition, your primary care provider can help you identify and access physicians with the needed training, knowledge, and skill.
Your provider may recommend the below vaccines and screenings:
Recommendations for transgender women, non-binary or genderqueer patients taking estrogen include:
Recommendations for transgender men, non-binary or genderqueer patients taking testosterone include:
LGBTQIA+ youth health
ARC primary care providers are committed to caring for all youth and are open to youth who are questioning their gender or exploring their sexuality. We encourage patients and parents to openly ask questions and raise any health or safety concerns. Your healthcare team can assist in identifying resources for prevention and treatment.
In some cases, LGBTQIA+ youth are at higher risk for depression, suicide, substance use, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Your medical team will keep your information confidential and can serve as advocates for both your mental and physical health.