Healio highlights top LGBTQ+ content in dermatology for Pride Month

As June marks the beginning of Pride Month, Healio Dermatology has compiled a list of the department’s top LGBTQ+ health care updates and stories from the past year, in addition to popular stories from across Healio’s other specialties.

The widely-read first story addresses the “awesome” outcomes of minoxidil as a gender-affirming treatment option.

Following this news, Healio published a story detailing the steps dermatologists can take to extend gender-affirming care in their practices.

Additionally, Healio reported on the risk for alopecia in transgender patients taking masculinizing hormones compared with cisgender women. Rounding out the list are stories highlighting the risk for suicide among this population, as well as the need for inclusive care among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Here are Healio’s top LGBTQ+ health care stories:

Oral minoxidil ‘awesome’ hair growth option for gender-affirming treatment

According to a presenter at South Beach Symposium in February, oral minoxidil and other medications are on the rise as effective and helpful treatments for gender-affirming patients. In fact, 88% of transgender men/transmasculine patients reported that body hair was an important factor in contributing to positive self-image. Finasteride offers an FDA-approved option while minoxidil offers a non-FDA approved option that is widely used. Read more.

Adolescents benefit from gender-affirming care

Another presenter at South Beach Symposium discussed how dermatologists are often on the forefront of care for many gender-diverse adolescents and can benefit these patients best by fully understanding and listening to their needs while providing that care. Practices include social support, puberty blockers and simply getting into the habit of using the correct verbiage. Read more.

Transgender patients on masculinizing hormones face greater androgenetic alopecia risk

According to a study published in February, transgender and gender-diverse patients receiving masculinizing hormone therapy have 2.5 times the rate of androgenetic alopecia incidences compared with cisgender women. On the other hand, transgender patients receiving feminizing hormone therapy had a lower chance of developing alopecia compared with cisgender men. Read more.

Suicidality, self-harm ideation among LGBTQ+ youth vary based on daily stressors

On days when youth in the LGBTQ+ community reported more external and internal identity-related stressors, they also reported more intense thoughts of suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury, data showed in an April study. Participants also reported greater negative affect, lower positive affect and more emotion dysregulation on these days. Read more.

Inclusive care is ‘essential’ for the LGBTQ+ community

Having access to an affirming provider is critical for reducing health disparities in the LGBTQ+ population, according to researchers in a December 2022 study. The study showed that currently 17.5% of survey respondents indicated that they did not want or need an affirming provider, 13.1% could not find one and 63% reported having an affirming provider. Participants with an affirming provider were more likely to receive preventative care and were associated with better mental health management. Read more.