Transgender Barriers to Physical & Mental Healthcare

Irvine transgender health issues.

Research conducted by the University of California has yet again highlighted some of the healthcare challenges facing transgender people. As the leading Orange County LGBTQ+ medical clinic, Radiant Health Centers provides safe and compassionate care for the local community.

Healthcare Remains a Persistent Struggle for Transgender Individuals

With all our efforts, this research indicates that transgender individuals still routinely face a lack of cultural competency, misgendering, treatment refusal and perceived systemic barriers from many providers.

Limitations in Gender Discrimination Laws

A Center for American Progress survey found that half of all transgender respondents had experienced mistreatment from a healthcare provider. Negative experiences frequently lead to individuals avoiding further interactions with medical professionals, and to mental health issues and substance abuse. While laws aim to protect all individuals from gender discrimination, in practice they are often not enforced by medical professionals or insurers.

The Mental and Physical Health Conditions Facing Transgender Communities

Transgender individuals report facing wide-reaching mental and physical conditions that lead to a drastically reduced quality of life. Recurring challenges include high levels of stress, anxiety, clinical depression and suicide. In fact, up to 40% of survey respondents report attempting suicide or experiencing psychological distress. Frequent cases of discrimination, intimidation and physical violence inevitably place a considerable burden on the physical and mental wellbeing of an individual.

Patients within the healthcare system may require a supply of hormones, counseling services and voice therapy. Additionally, high levels of HIV, STDs and substance abuse all require considerate and compassionate care. Unfortunately, many transgender individuals report dissatisfaction with the medical assistance they receive on these matters. Understanding how COVID-19 can impact the LGBTQ+ community is also a topical concern that can be overlooked by mainstream healthcare providers.

The Importance of Functioning Health Services for Transgender Individuals

A climate of stigma, discrimination, prejudice and ignorance is a daily reality for countless transgender people. And while continuous attempts at education and understanding can lead to improvements in healthcare, education and the workplace, it is clear that more work is required.

Persistent attacks on physical and mental wellbeing cause high levels of stress and anxiety that resonate throughout a transgender individual’s life. Access to healthcare providers who understand these challenges is essential for rebuilding the trust eroded by poor treatment and hostility.

Important Steps in Tackling Discrimination

The legal system and healthcare providers can make important steps to reduce barriers to physical and mental healthcare. Funding increases for counseling and mental health services, training for staff, additional support for community health centers and improved laws to prevent discrimination and violence are just a few ways to make a dramatic difference to the lives of transgender individuals in Orange County – and right across the country.

Safe and Discreet Services for the LGBTQ+ Community

Radiant Health Centers is the leading LGBTQ+ medical clinic covering Irvine, Santa Ana and across Orange County. Our trained staff provides valuable services including free HIV and STD tests, family planning, counseling and mental health services. To make an appointment, call us at (949) 809-5700 or request one online.

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STDs: Types, Transmission and Treatment Options Infographic

STD infographic for Orange County residents.

As a primary location for free STD testing in the Irvine LGBTQ+ community, Radiant Health Centers understands the importance of STD education and prevention. The prevalence of STDs is often underestimated, but a CDC report indicates that 1 in 5 Americans have a sexually transmitted infection.

Important Facts About STDs

Keep reading for the important facts about STDs, and consider sharing our infographic across social media.

What Are the Types of STDs?

There are many types of STDs and they each have a range of symptoms. If you believe you have an infection, you can get free testing at our health center along with counseling for the LGBTQ+ community and other services.

Since there are many types of STDs, we are going to discuss the most common ones and their symptoms – bacterial, viral and parasitic.

Bacterial STDs

The most common bacterial STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. While all three could have minimal or no symptoms, chlamydia and gonorrhea often result in discharge and burning. The symptoms of syphilis include sores and fever that worsen if left untreated. For men, gonorrhea can include testicular pain, while for women, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a complication that could result from chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Viral STDs

Viral STDs include HIV, herpes, HPV and hepatitis. HIV affects the immune system, causing fever, headaches and flu-like symptoms, although signs of HIV can take years to appear. Genital herpes symptoms range from no symptoms at all to sores, blisters and itching. HPV may show no visible signs, or could lead to soft tissue growths around the genitals. For hepatitis, look out for dark urine, nausea and abdominal pain.

Parasitic STDs

The common parasitic STDs are trichomoniasis and pubic lice. This type of STD is caused by parasites passing between individuals during sexual contact. Trichomoniasis leads to burning and discharge, while also leading to pregnancy complications for women. Pubic lice spread during sexual activity and lead to constant itching around the genitals.

If you have a blog or social media account, you can share this information with your readers by posting our infographic (using the embed code below).

3 Misconceptions About STDs

  1. You can tell when someone has an STD – In fact, many STDs have no visible symptoms.
  2. You can’t get an STD from oral sex – Any sexual contact can lead to the passing of bacteria and viruses that cause STDs.
  3. You can’t get an STD again after treatment – In reality, you can get the same STD again after treatment.

How Can STDs Be Prevented?

Condoms offer a high degree of protection against many STDs. However, condoms won’t provide 100% protection, and exposed skin-to-skin contact could result in common STDs like HPV. Regular STD testing and open discussions with new sexual partners also reduce the risk of contracting an STD. Radiant Health Centers provides free STD testing along with family planning and birth control services.

STD infographic for Orange County residents

Help Yourself and Others Get Informed About STDs

Radiant Health Centers assists communities in Irvine, Santa Ana and across Orange County with information and testing for STDs. You can help spread awareness of STDs by sharing our infographic across all social media platforms. For free HIV and STD testing, call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment online.

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The Radiant Health Centers 2020–2021 Annual Report Is Here!

The Radiant Health Centers Annual Report, 2020–2021

Radiant Health Centers is focused on providing compassionate healthcare to the LGBTQ+ community of Orange County. As part of that mission, we release our annual report each year to celebrate the achievements of both the organization and those we serve. 2020 was a challenging year, yet we were still able to assist and educate thousands through creative outreach and online services. You can check out the full report here, but here are some of the highlights.

Serving the LGBTQ+ Community With Medical and Mental Healthcare

Throughout the year we were able to assist over 2,700 people with either medical or mental healthcare. Our compassionate medical care includes both testing and treatment for HIV, STDs and other sexual healthcare needs. Radiant’s mental health counseling includes assessment, treatment, both group and individual therapy, family and couples therapy, as well as children’s therapy based on age.

Lifesaving Sexual Health Education

Despite the global pandemic, our volunteers and creative team members were able to educate more than 6,000 people in the past year. This education includes how to know your HIV status, how to avoid HIV transmission, compassionate care, health equity in the LGBTQ+ community and much more.

2020’s Impact on AIDS Walk Orange County and the Annual Gala

This year we had to host our main fundraisers virtually for the first time. The first virtual AIDS Walk OC was a great success. Despite the lack of an in-person walk, we were still able to raise over $95,000!

In a somewhat ironic twist, our annual gala – which was themed “Back to the Future” – used the technology of Zoom and livestreaming this year in place of an in-person event. By the end of the night, the Gala was able to raise over $180,000 earmarked to provide medical and mental healthcare for the Orange County LGBTQ+ community.

Get a Detailed Annual Report From Radiant Health Centers

To see the specific numbers and further details, please download the 2020 annual report. If you have any questions or would like any further information, please call (949) 809-5700 or learn more about how to get involved today.

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