Restructuring healthcare services, routines and procedures on reproductive medicine based on respect for differences

TL;DR

This paper discusses the need to reform healthcare services in reproductive medicine to better support and respect the needs of the LGBT population.

Contribution

The paper proposes restructuring healthcare services to promote respect for differences in reproductive medicine for LGBT individuals.

Findings

LGBT individuals face discrimination and limited access to assisted reproduction techniques.

Healthcare personnel need specific training to meet the demands of LGBT patients.

Social progress is increasing access to assisted reproduction for novel patient populations.

Abstract

Although the term homosexuality was removed from the International Classification
of Diseases and trans identities from mental disorders, these
classifications promote the pathologizing of homosexuality. The direct
consequence is discrimination, which adds to the difficulty in carrying out
accurate information related to the LGBT population and makes it very difficult
to organize public policies suited to their needs. An important issue is related
to the limited access of that population to assisted reproduction techniques,
when compared to traditional families. The desire for same sex couples and
transgender persons to have biological children is reportedly the same as for
cisgender persons, but parenthood can be a much greater endeavor both medically
and psychologically for them. The right to health includes freedom to control
one’s health and body, including sexual and reproductive issues. Despite these
difficulties, we are living in a period of great social progress that increases
access to assisted reproduction among novel patient populations. With
legalization of gay marriage, individuals and couples who identify as lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender, may seek to begin or expand their families with
assisted reproduction technologies. Therefore, the aim of this review was to
assist in the restructuring of healthcare services, routines and procedures,
mainly related to reproductive medicine, in order to promote changes in values
based on respect for differences. In conclusion, the healthcare personnel of
fertility centers should undergo specific training and preparations to meet the
specific demands of the LGBT patient population and to overcome communication
barriers.

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