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Sexual Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Abstract

Background

In recent years, legislation targeting the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community has been passed at an increasingly alarming rate, affecting access to safe and effective gender-affirming care and forcing many SGM patients, including those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to withhold their identities and health concerns. Additionally, SGM patients with IBD may have unique health considerations that have not yet been well-studied

Objective

This article aims to explore the intersection of IBD and sexual health in patients who identify as SGM and to identify limitations for gastroenterologists in caring for SGM patients. The article also aims to provide suggestions for improvement in SGM-competent care within gastroenterology

Methods

A thorough literature review was conducted regarding sexual health and the SGM community with IBD. This included a review of surgical considerations in SGM patients, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevention, and sexual dysfunction

Results

Overall, little is known about the impact of IBD on patients who identify as sexual and gender minorities. Surgery, medications, and STIs continue to be a concern in the SGM community with IBD and these areas represent opportunities to improve SGM-competent IBD care. Additionally, implementation of an SGM-focused curriculum is urgently needed in medical education to improve provider knowledge and care for this unique group of patients

Conclusions

Patients with IBD who identify as SGM experience challenges that are not well described in prior literature. More research is needed and is actively being pursued to guide provider awareness and improve sexual health for this patient population.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Garrett Lawlor, MD, for his assistance and support with this manuscript.

Funding

This is an unfunded study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Rabb 4, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Andrew Eidelberg, Sarah Ballou, Adam Cheifetz & Loren G. Rabinowitz

  2. New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA

    Jordan Axelrad

  3. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Victor Chedid

Authors
  1. Andrew Eidelberg
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  2. Jordan Axelrad
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  3. Victor Chedid
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  4. Sarah Ballou
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  5. Adam Cheifetz
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  6. Loren G. Rabinowitz
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Contributions

AE: First draft of the manuscript, editing of the manuscript. JA: Editing of the manuscript. VC: Editing of the manuscript. SB: Editing of the manuscript. ASC: Editing of the manuscript. LGR: Drafting of the manuscript, final review of the completed manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew Eidelberg.

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Conflict of interest

AE: No relevant conflict of interest exists. JEA: Research grants from BioFire Diagnostics and Genentech; consultancy fees, honorarium, or advisory board fees from Biomerieux, Janssen, Pfizer, BMS, Adiso, Fresenius, and Abbvie.VC: No relevant conflict of interest exists. SB: No relevant conflict of interest exists. ASC: No relevant conflict of interest exists. LGR: No relevant conflict of interest exists.

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Eidelberg, A., Axelrad, J., Chedid, V. et al. Sexual Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dig Dis Sci 69, 743–748 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-023-08253-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-023-08253-0

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