FSRH CEU Clinical Statement: Contraceptive Choices and Sexual Health for Transgender and Non-Binary People

This statement provides guidance on contraceptive choices for transgender and non-binary people and their partners, who are engaging in vaginal sex where there is a risk of pregnancy. The statement also offers general sexual health advice for these groups.

A transgender individual is someone whose gender identity is not congruent with the sex they were assigned at birth. A transgender woman is someone who was assigned the sex of male, but identifies as a woman. A transgender man is someone who was assigned the sex of female, but identifies as a man. The term transgender is often shortened to ‘trans’. The term non-binary describes any gender identity which does not fit the male and female binary.

It should be stressed that trans people may or may not elect to seek medical help and that, if sought, this medical help is highly individualised. People’s goals from hormone use and surgery vary; therefore, so will appropriateness and acceptability of different methods of contraception. Sensitive communication, with a clear attempt to avoid any stigmatising language, is a key issue.

The clinical guidance in this statement is largely informed by consensus of experts in this field to support healthcare professionals in providing a high standard of contraception and sexual health care for these groups.