This article shook me, so I did a little more digging.
Alright, let's dive into the mess that is reproductive healthcare and abortion access for transmasculine folks in Brazil. Spoiler alert: it's a shitshow.
The Healthcare Gauntlet
Imagine walking into a gynecologist's office, and everyone stares at you like you've got three heads. That's the daily grind for trans men like Mateus Martins de França. Despite being a dude, he's got female reproductive organs and needs regular check-ups. But the second his name gets called in that waiting room, it's like a freakin' spotlight turns on. And it doesn't get better in the exam room; many doctors are clueless about trans bodies and flat-out refuse to treat them.
The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) is supposed to be for everyone, but trans men often find themselves on the outside looking in. A study showed that less than half of trans men had used primary healthcare services before hitting up specialized clinics. Most of these guys are young, white, educated, and barely scraping by in the formal job market.
Contraception Confusion
Testosterone therapy can make periods disappear, leading some trans men to think they're in the clear for pregnancy. Wrong. Testosterone isn't birth control. But who's telling them this? Not many doctors, apparently. One study found that only 20% of trans men used contraception, and over half weren't advised to after starting hormones.
Abortion Access: A Cruel Joke
Now, let's talk abortion. In Brazil, it's already a legal minefield for cis women. For trans men? Damn near impossible. The stigma and discrimination are so bad that many don't even try to get care, fearing humiliation or outright denial of services. And with the country's restrictive abortion laws, trans men are left with few safe options.
The Bottom Line
Transmasculine individuals in Brazil face a perfect storm of ignorance, prejudice, and systemic failure when it comes to reproductive healthcare and abortion access. The healthcare system is ill-prepared, and society's hang-ups make it worse. It's high time for comprehensive training for healthcare providers and policies that actually give a damn about trans folks' needs.
Brazilians I need comments here? how bad is it? Lets discuss please.
Bibliography
World Stock Market. "Trans men face prejudice in accessing gynecological care." December 30, 2023. https://www.worldstockmarket.net/trans-men-face-prejudice-in-accessing-gynecological-care/
SciELO. "Where are the trans masculinities in the SUS? Sociodemographic and access profile of trans men and transmasculine individuals linked to the Transgender Outpatient Clinic in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, 2019-2021." https://www.scielo.br/j/ress/a/kjLffWyxHjnqsXCvccPBBbw/
SciELO. "Contraceptive Counseling for the Transgender Patient Assigned Female at Birth." https://www.scielo.br/j/rbgo/a/vnsgyfZV4DMS3p8rf9CCycj/?lang=en