Sexual minority women are more likely to delay care, less likely to have a usual place of care, and more likely to exhibit higher risk behaviors such as smoking, obesity, heavy drinking resulting in a disproportionate number of chronic conditions. It is imperative for obstetrician-gynecologists to be at the forefront of providing comprehensive health care to all women, no matter their sexual orientation. This article seeks to discuss health care disparities as well as health behaviors and outcomes in this population. In addition, it will review the appropriate recommendations for clinical care of sexual minority women for the obstetrician/gynecologist.

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Transgender men and women experience an incongruity between their assigned sex at birth and their identified gender. Gender dysphoria is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) as clinically significant distress or impairment resulting from misalignment in assigned and experienced gender. Transgender people have a history of negative experiences in health care and efforts should be made to create a welcoming environment through staff training, gender neutral restrooms, and gender inclusive electronic medical record systems. Transgender men and women face unique preventive health concerns in areas of metabolic screening, cancer screening, immunizations, and anticipatory guidance secondary to cross-sex hormone therapy, gender confirming surgical procedures, and certain high-risk behaviors. Here, the available data are reviewed and suggested best practices are outlined to optimize the preventive health for this patient population.

Despite significant social advances among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, healthcare disparities remain prevalent. Medical education represents a prime opportunity for addressing this need. Thus, we undertook this study to explore second year medical students' attitudes regarding equal access to healthcare services including erectile dysfunction medication, family planning medications and technology, and partner health insurance coverage.