Being healthy means taking care of your whole self. Your sexual and gender identity are part of who you are. You are an important part of your healthcare team.
Why is it important to talk about this?
Sharing important information with healthcare providers helps you get the right care. Even if it isn’t easy, talking with healthcare providers about your sexual orientation and gender identity gives them the chance to:
- learn about you, your name, and pronouns
- understand your health needs without making guesses or assumptions
- advocate for your health
- improve healthcare for everyone
Any information you share with your healthcare team is confidential.
What are tips for talking with my healthcare provider?
- Think about introducing yourself to the provider with your name and pronouns.
- Let your healthcare provider know if they’ve make a mistake about what you said, what you need or your identity.
- If the topic doesn’t come up, think about saying, “We haven’t talked about my sexuality. Is there information about my identity that would help with my care?”
What should everyone talk to their healthcare provider about?
It's important for everyone to talk with their healthcare provider about:
- heart and lung health
- nutrition and exercise
- mental health and problems like depression, anxiety and disordered eating
- substance use, including smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs
- sexual health, including STI, HIV and Hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment
- cancer screenings
- family violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault
- general health needs such as vaccines
- specific health needs like transgender health
What tests or screening do I need?
Everyone needs to be
screened for cancer and other health problems. If you have the part, it needs testing. For example, if you have:
For more information
Sexual and Reproductive Health
2SLGBTQI+/Sexual and Gender Diversity
PrEP Alberta
For nurse advice, general health information, or vaccine information any time, day or night, call Health Link at 811.
