Health of Transgender Women: Gynecological, Hormonal, Sexual and Psychological Management

healthtransgenderwomenkapak

HPV INFECTION AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN TRANSGENDER WOMEN

Pınar Tuğçe Özer

Medical Point İzmir Hastanesi, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, İzmir, Türkiye

Özer PT. HPV Infection and Its Management in Transgender Women. Balsak D, Aksin Ş, eds. Health of Transgender Women: Gynecological, Hormonal, Sexual and Psychological Management. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.255-260.

ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally, associated with cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Transgender women are at heightened risk due to factors like unprotected sexual practices, low vaccination rates, and systemic barriers to healthcare access, including stigma. Hormone therapy and co-infections, particularly HIV, further increase vulnerability. Vaccination with the 9-valent HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV-related cancers and is recommended early, starting at age 9. Screening methods such as PCR-based tests and genotyping improve early detection but lack standardization for anal and neovaginal tissue. Tailored protocols are essential, particularly for transgender men with preserved cervices and transgender women with neovaginal complications. Comprehensive care, combining vaccination, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary support, is critical for reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases in transgender populations.

Keywords: Health services for transgender persons; Human papillomavirus vaccine, TA; Papanicolaou test; Transgender persons; Transsexualism; Uterine cervical neoplasms

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