Overview of Sex and Gender and Disparities

sex

a multidimensional construct based on a cluster of anatomical and physiological traits (sex traits)

sex traits

-external genitalia

-secondary sex characteristics

-gonads

-chromosomes

-hormones

characteristics of sex

-usually assigned as female or male

-most often defined at birth based on visual inspection of external genitalia

-sex traits usually assumed to be unambiguous, but may not be

-sex traits usually assumed to correspond to the same sex, but may not

-some sex traits can change or be altered over time

Intersex / DSD (Differences of Sex Development)

people whose sex traits do not all correspond to a single sex

gender

a multidimensional construct that links gender identity, gender expression, and social and cultural expectations about status, characteristics, and behavior that are associated with sex traits

identity

a core element of a person's individual sense of self

social and cultural expectations

related to social status, characteristics, and behavior that are associated with sex traits

characteristics of gender

-often conceptualized as binary (male/female or man/woman) in Western cultures, but also includes categories outside this binary

-often used interchangeable with sex, though it is conceptually distinct

-often assumed to be determined based on sex assigned at birth but may differ

-gender identity, expression, and social and cultural expectations may not all correspond to the same gender

-may be temporarily and contextually fluid

gender identities

a person whose current gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth

trans-gender experience

all people who can be classified as transgender, regardless of whether they identify as transgender, also called transgender history

trans-gender identity

people who identify as transgender

cisgender

a person whose current gender identity corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth

nonbinary

an umbrella term for gender identities that lie outside this gender binary

gender-queer

a person who does not follow gender norms

gender-fluid

a person who does not identify with a fixed gender

two-spirit

placeholder term for specific gender and sexual orientation identities that are centered in Indigenous tribal worldview, practices, and knowledges

sexual orientation

a multidimensional construct encompassing emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction, identity, and behavior

attraction

a multidimensional concept that includes the gender(s) to which a person is attracted and the strength of this attraction, including whether a person feels attraction at all

behavior

a multidimensional concept that includes the gender(s) of sexual partners, specific sexual activities, and frequency of activity

characteristics of sexual orientation

-often defined in Western cultures based on the gender(s) of a person's desired or actual partners relative to their own gender

-the 3 dimensions of sexuality- attraction, identity, and behavior- may not correspond to the same orientation

heterosexual, straight

sexually oriented toward people of a different, usually binary, gender

homosexual, gay

sexually oriented toward people of the same, usually binary, gender

lesbian

women who are sexually oriented toward other women

bisexual

sexually oriented toward both men and women

queer

an umbrella term for belonging to the LGBTQI+ community; also used to refer to a person who is sexually oriented toward people of more than one gender

pansexual

sexually oriented toward people of any gender

questioning

uncertain about sexual orientation identity

same gender loving

non-heterosexual sexual orientation identity used by some within AfAm communities as a resistance to Eurocentric language for sexuality

-sex (legal)

-gender identity

-sex assigned at birth

-sexual orientation

What is the sex/gender info in EPIC and EHR documentation?

gender identity in EPIC/EHR

F, M, non-binary/gender non conforming, other, transgender F, transgender M

sex assigned at birth in EPIC/EHR

F, M, not recorded, unknown, chose not to disclose

sexual orientation in EPIC/EHR

didn't disclose, bisexual, dont know, gay, lesbian, something else, straight

Gynecology

medical specialty caring for women and girls

- Reproductive focus

Obstetrics

pregnancy

ovary in females

produce eggs for reproduction; produce estrogen & progesterone

fallopian tube

tubes which carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and which provides the place where fertilization occurs

endometrium

inner lining of the uterus

uterus

-Female organ of reproduction used to house the developing fetus.

-located between the rectum and the bladder

cervix

The opening to the uterus

vagina

A muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body and connected to the vulva and the cervix

fibroids

benign tumors in the uterus

clitoris

organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra

labium minora

inner folds around vagina, continuous up over clitoris

labium majora

outer folds around vagina covered with hair

menarche

First occurrence of menstruation

nulliparity

when a female has never been pregnant

dyspareunia

painfulsexual intercourse

infertility

the inability to conceive pregnancy

endometriosis

endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus

amenorrhea

absence of menstruation

menses

menstruation

fibroid

benign uterine tumor

menorrhagia

excessive menstrual bleeding

histerectomy

surgical removal of the uterus

dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

dysplasia

abnormal cells on the cervix or genitals

menopause

cessation of menstruation

Anovulation

Medical professionals use this word when a woman's ovaries stop producing or releasing eggs that are mature.

Atrophy, vaginal

This is when the vaginal tissues shrink or thin due to a lack of estrogen following menopause, a condition that results in painful intercourse.

Bartholin's cyst

This is a buildup of mucus or an infection in one of the major mucus producing glands close to the opening of the vagina. The condition causes swelling or pain and is usually treated with surgical draining.

Benign

This term refers to cell growth that medical specialists deem non-cancerous. Benign cell growth does not make its way into nearby tissue nor will it spread to other body parts.

Biopsy

When medical professionals do a biopsy, they remove a small tissue sample using a scalpel or hollow needle.

Cerclage

is a round row of stitches set inside the cervix to stop dilation and ejection of a preterm fetus.

Cancer

This is an abnormal, unconstrained growth of cells capable of making its way into nearby tissue and distant sites.

Cure

Medical specialists consider a cancer or other illness cured if, following treatment, it can no longer be detected and remains undetected for a long time. In many cases, this means that the cancer has not come back in five years or more.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one that is developing outside of the uterus. In most cases, this type of pregnancy occurs in a fallopian tube.

Estrogen

A set of hormones emitted by the ovaries. These hormones affect a women's menstrual cycle and sexual development.

Genital herpes

This is a sexually transmitted disease involving bumps and sores. It is caused by the human papillomavirus.

Human papillomaviruses

A set of viruses that cause warts. Some of these kinds of viruses are transmitted sexually. The virus is associated with some cancers.

Labia

the skin fold located at the vaginal opening

Lymph nodes

These are small organs that store bacteria trapping cells. Lymph node clusters are located in the groin, underarms, neck, abdomen and chest.

ovaries

are a woman's reproductive organs. They are in the pelvis.

ovulation

This is when a woman's body releases a mature egg from one of the ovaries.

pap test

A pap test, or pap smear, is a test in which cervical cells are collected and examined to check for changes that may indicate pre-cancer or cancer.

sexually transmitted infection

This is an infection that spreads via sexual intercourse as well as through other sexual contact.

speculum

is a piece of gynecological equipment. It is used to open the cervix and complete a pap smear.

transvaginal ultrasound

This is a test in which a transducer, a small gynecological instrument, is inserted into the vagina to complete a detailed ultrasound test.