Dealing with Health Needs and Physical Complaints of Nonbinary Clients

Nonbinary people are those who do not self-identify within the gender binary system. Recently, scientific research has increasingly recognized that nonbinary individuals have specific social and health needs, which may be different from those of binary transgender people. Obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) are paying increasing attention to transgender clients, who are in need of care services for either screening purposes, genital complaints, or information on genital health maintenance. However, since the nonbinary population has only recently been acknowledged in legal, medical, and psychological systems, most Ob/Gyns are likely to be unaware of specific nonbinary clients’ particular experiences and challenges. For this reason, in accordance with an affirmative, individualized, and culturally competent approach, this chapter addresses the health needs and physical complaints of nonbinary individuals, by focusing on two main issues: (1) how an affirmative environment for nonbinary clients may foster the therapeutic alliance; and (2) which are the specific physical complaints of nonbinary clients within Ob/Gyn care.