Q - Health
OWNER/PUBLISHER
Rick Todd
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jeremy Williams
MANAGING EDITOR
Ryan Williams-Jent
CREATIVE DESIGNERS
Caitlin Sause
Dylan Todd
SALES DIRECTOR
Danny Garcia
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Daisy Chamberlin
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Camila Escobar
Dr. Matthew Schabath
FOUNDER AND GUIDING LIGHT
Tom Dyer
Holistic Harmony
Vilija
Tamulynas and Hilary Reinglass take an alternative approach to health care
Camila Escobar
In a holistic wellness center nestled in St. Petersburg, Florida, Vilija Tamulynas and Hilary Reinglass have created more than a wellness center – they’ve crafted a pathway to holistic healing.
This couple is redefining wellness through biofeedback therapy, somatic healing and community engagement.
Their mission is not only to promote physical health but also to address the emotional and mental wellbeing of their clients through a holistic lens, recognizing the intricate connections between the mind, body and spirit.
The Hil & Vil Natural Wellness Center stands out by helping clients reconnect with the body’s natural rhythms through a combination of chiropractic medicine, red light therapy, energy healing and more.
Since moving from Illinois to St. Petersburg, the couple has seen a progression of Eastern and Western medicine working together.
“I’ve seen Western and Eastern medicine coming together and the holistic approach incorporated more in some corporations and other places. So I think it's evolved a lot, and I believe it's still evolving,” says Tamulynas.
Together, they offer a blend of these practices, drawing from their extensive backgrounds in natural medicine, and their own journeys through wellness and selfhealing.
For Reinglass, the path to holistic health began early. Growing up, her family practiced natural wellness — visiting health food stores, taking vitamins and even receiving acupuncture at a young age.
“Holistic health was very much something that my family utilized. I got acupuncture when I was younger and my mom would take us to health food stores, we took lots of vitamins and all those kinds of things and so subliminally it was sort of in our lifestyle,” says Reinglass.
Her upbringing and studying abroad in Italy led her to deepen her understanding of how the body’s systems work and how to utilize nutrition as a natural healing agent, and she decided she wanted to share this with others.
“I came from a more organic gardening and living with the land kind of space, and then learning how to heal myself through food, so it sort of became a natural progression to live my life more holistically, and the desire to want to help other people learn how to heal as well, in a whole way,” says Reinglass.
Tamulynas’ journey was similarly rooted in nature and wellness. Growing up on a farm in Lithuania nurtured her passion for holistic health from an early age.
After studying chiropractic and Eastern medicine, she managed a holistic center for over a decade, honing her skills in chiropractic and Chinese medicine.
“I think it was something internal that drew me to healing ever since I was a little kid, and when I came here to the United States I studied chiropractic, Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbs. When the time came, we decided to step out of the corporate world and open our own company,” says Tamulynas.
One core aspect of their wellness philosophy is healing through biofeedback therapy, a technique that allows clients to understand the energetic frequencies of their bodies.
“The body is on a fundamental level made of energy," says Tamulynas. "So each cell and organ and tissue, it has frequency
and vibration."
By identifying areas with lower energy or pathological frequencies, they can customize treatment plans that restore balance in the body.
“You first do the scan and then you can switch the mode and give frequency therapy to raise the vibration. But it's a good tool as a base point to check the physical health, function and the performance of the organ,” says Tamulynas.
This cutting-edge approach is complemented by somatic healing, which dives deeper into the subconscious mind to release stored emotions.
“With somatic healing, it's the subconscious mind and how it manifests in the body. So really looking at what our habits are in the body, what are habits of our mind, of our emotions, and how that plays a role in our day-to-day life.” says Reinglass.
Understanding that nutrition plays a vital role in holistic health, Tamulynas and Reinglass have partnered with Purium, a company dedicated to providing highquality, organic foods free from pesticides and chemicals.
"Growing up I didn't take that many supplements in the pill tablet form. So mainly, we focused on the food we were eating which is the main source of nutrients. So why we like working together with this company is because the food resembles that kind of quality and is very high in nutrition,” says Tamulynas.
Their focus on nutrition reinforces their belief that healing is a multi-faceted journey that encompasses not just treatment but lifestyle changes as well.
Changing to a more balanced diet and incorporating natural foods can help fuel your body in everyday life.
Beyond their therapeutic practices, Tamulynas and Reinglass are passionate
about community engagement.
They founded the Tampa Bay Wellness Network, a collaborative platform that connects over 200 wellness professionals across the region.
This initiative fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities for local wellness practitioners to come together, share resources and host events.
“We love to meet new clients through wellness events, offering mini biofeedback sessions to introduce them to our services,” says Reinglass.
Every individual who walks through their doors is met with a personalized approach.
“We take the time to understand each client’s unique challenges and needs,” Tamulynas emphasizes.
By combining various modalities — including ionic foot baths, red light therapy and life wave patches — they create tailored wellness packages that cater to each person's journey.
“It’s all about meeting clients where they are and guiding them toward a more balanced state of being,” she adds.
While some may view their methods as alternative or “woo-woo,” as they call it, Tamulynas and Reinglass emphasize the scientific principles underlying their practices.
“Everything we do is backed by science,”
Tamulynas states, referencing the energetic nature of the body.
They aim to educate clients on how their bodies operate on an energetic level, demystifying the processes of biofeedback and somatic therapy for anyone who is willing to learn about this alternative approach to medicine.
Through their integrative methods, Tamulynas and Reinglass are not just helping individuals heal; they are fostering a community dedicated to holistic health and wellness.
In a world where wellness can often feel overwhelming, they says their center stands as a beacon of hope, guiding individuals toward a more centered and grounded existence no matter how old you are.
“One of the biggest things I've seen is the spark that wakes up in people, the awareness that they can heal themselves, that they can feel better without needing to take medication or whatever it might be, even if It's just like one millimeter better and I think that's huge,” says Reinglass.
Hil & Vil Natural Wellness is located at 2583 34th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. For more information, go to HilAndVil.com.
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The importance of cancer screenings for LGBTQ+ persons
Dr. Matthew B. Schabath, Moffitt Cancer Center
LGBTQ+ populations, also referred to as sexual and gender minorities by the National Institutes of Health, are medically underserved and experience substantial disparities across the cancer care continuum.
Compared to cisgender-heterosexual persons, LGBTQ+ populations report greater distress, inferior overall health and quality of life, report higher rates of certain cancer risk factors, experience lower satisfaction with their cancer care, and are often hesitant to disclose their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to health care teams due to fear of discrimination. As such, there is strong and growing evidence that numerous cancers may disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ populations.
Cancer screening is a cornerstone preventive healthcare service that helps detect cancerous lesions at earlier stages when local therapy is associated with a substantially greater likelihood of cure. The U.S Preventive Services Taks Force currently has recommendations for cancer screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.
Despite that, many screening-detectable cancers disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ populations. Studies have reported that LGBTQ+ persons are up to 25% less likely to undergo cancer screenings compared to their cis-het counterparts. Lower uptake of cancer screening in this population is especially concerning given the high rates of cancer risk factors including rates of cigarette smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, HPV infection, poor diet and hormone therapy.
The lower uptake of cancer screening for the LGBTQ+ population are multifactorial, attributed to emotional distress and discrimination in the healthcare system, financial stressors, lack of insurance or underinsured, and misperceptions and/or lack of cancer health knowledge. Furthermore, as societal, political, and legal LGBTQ+ prejudices are still evident, LGBTQ+ persons may avoid seeking life-saving early detection and preventive care service for fear of revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity and
receiving subsequent hostility, discrimination or denial of care.
Despite the disheartening data and statistics regarding cancer care, including screening, for LGBTQ+ persons, there are strategies for improving access which will have the downstream consequences of mitigating these disparities and inequitable care.
There is an urgent need to develop inclusive and evidence-based guidelines regarding cancer screening for LGBTQ+ populations. There needs to be national efforts towards the systematic collection of SOGI demographic collection as standard-of-care on all medical forms, insurance information, legal forms, electronic health records, and local, state, and national cancer registries. Also needed are mandatory educational programs for medical students and medical practitioners in primary care, oncology, and beyond, with the goals of providing knowledgeable, sensitive, and affirming healthcare for the LGBTQ+ population.
There needs to be an increase of community-level education efforts focused on screening of LGBTQ+ individuals, for risk behavior reduction, and providing counseling and support for cessation. There needs to be dedicated funding for research to identify disparities among LGBTQ+ populations and to develop interventions to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, disparities.
Health care institutions need to provide safe spaces by creating warm, welcoming and inclusive environments in all health care settings. While this list of recommendations is extensive, this is not exhaustive. There are many publications that provide additional detailed strategies to reduce disparities among LGBTQ+ populations.
Over the last several decades there have been concerted efforts to reduce health disparities among many underserved and
minoritized populations such race, ethnicity, social class, disability and the geographically isolated, to name a few. To date, there are very limited efforts to address disparities by sexual orientation and gender identity.
As the aforementioned concerted efforts to reduce health disparities of other populations has actually started yielding success, there is no doubt that with dedicated resources, disparities and inequity among LGBTQ+ populations will be reduced and eventually eliminated.
Matthew B. Schabath, Ph.D. is a Moffitt Distinguished Scholar; Program Leader, Cancer Epidemiology Program and Senior Member of Moffitt Cancer Center’s Departments of Cancer Epidemiology and Thoracic Oncology. For additional information about Moffitt Cancer Center, screenings and more, visit Moffitt.org.
Breaking the Stigma
Why pelvic therapy is for everyone Camila Escobar
In a world where many aspects of health are openly discussed, pelvic health often remains shrouded in stigma.
But for Jenny G. Porter, a dedicated pelvic therapist in South Daytona, this field of specialized care is more than a profession — it’s a mission to help people reclaim their wellness and confidence.
When it comes to pelvic health, most people only think about the pelvic floor, muscles that span the bottom of the pelvis and support the pelvic organs, but Porter emphasizes that pelvic therapy is far more complex than that.
“Pelvic therapy isn’t just about the pelvic floor,” Porter says. “We address the entire pelvic region and look beyond the physical symptoms to understand the root cause.”
Looking beyond includes not only the muscles but urinary, bowel and sexual health as well, and many people are unaware of just how profound pelvic therapy can impact their daily lives.
“People are often surprised by how much their pelvic health affects other aspects of their wellbeing,” says Porter.
Each patient comes with unique challenges, from persistent pelvic pain to issues stemming from childbirth, surgery
or aging, and Porter crafts her approach to meet each individual’s needs.
"My goal is always to take the whole person into account," she says, explaining that her sessions often involve a combination of manual therapy and customized exercises.
Porter also includes yoga-based exercises since pelvic therapy and yoga often crossover. This promotes relaxation and strength, focusing on the mind-body connection as a crucial part of the healing journey.
“There's a lot of pelvic [physical therapists] who are half pelvic, half yogi. One of the connections is with breath in yoga that people are familiar with, combining their movement with breath, which is really what yoga is, whether you're holding a position or moving through a position,” says Porter.
Some of those exercises can even be
done from the comfort of your home such as Child's Pose and Cat Cow, where you alternate between arching and rounding your spine, moving with your breath to warm up and stretch your back.
Porter’s approach goes beyond traditional therapy techniques, helping patients regain control over fundamental aspects of their health.
“It’s rewarding to see someone go from feeling powerless to feeling empowered about their body,” says Porter.
One of the most significant hurdles she faces is the stigma that surrounds pelvic health issues, which can prevent people from seeking help or even acknowledging their problems.
“There’s this barrier of embarrassment or discomfort,” she says, “especially for men and LGBTQ+ individuals. We’re
working hard to change that.”
In her practice, she creates a safe, open space where patients feel comfortable discussing their symptoms without embarrassment.
Porter’s ultimate goal is to empower her patients to reach a point of independence in managing, or even preventing future issues, and leave her clinic with a deeper understanding of their own bodies.
Porter is not the only one raising awareness for pelvic therapy in Central Florida. Charles Dudley is a certified orthopedic manual therapist and founder of Davenport Pelvic Therapy who focuses exclusively on male and transgender pelvic health.
After consulting a urologist in 2013, Dudley discovered he had neurogenic bladder and found that the lack of education on the challenges that men and the trans community face can feel “isolating and foreign.”
“There are doctors out there that still say that men don't have a pelvis. There are a lot of men who don't realize that they have a pelvis as well. But everybody has a pelvis, so it is common and misleading to think that this is just for women,” says Dudley.
Pelvic therapy is beneficial to anyone who is experiencing any kind of leakage, whether it's urinary or fecal, any kind of retention like constipation or pain during sex.
One of the most significant challenges
in the field is a misconception that pelvic health is only a “woman’s issue.”
Pelvic health issues among cisgender men are common but often underreported, partly because of societal stigma.
For example, “10% of men per decade experience erectile dysfunction, which increases to 20% by age 20 and 40% by age 40. However, social stigma and ‘a lot of burden’ around discussing issues in this vulnerable area mean that many men aren’t seeking help or the attention that they need,” says Dudley.
This lack of awareness extends to the trans community, who also face unique challenges that pelvic therapy can help address.
Individuals assigned female at birth who start on testosterone, for example, may experience pelvic pain. “I think it was something astronomical … like 7% of people who are assigned female at birth and start on testosterone will have some level of pelvic pain,” says Dudley.
Pelvic therapists can assist trans patients through various stages, whether through binding, taping or post-surgical recovery.
The short-term and long-term benefits of pelvic therapy are similar, often beginning with “neuro re-education,” or reconnecting the brain with the pelvic region.
“There is a large disconnect between our conscious brain and what we think we are controlling and what the subconscious brain is actually in charge of,” says Dudley.
Patients typically see improvements within six visits, but sustainable changes come after eight to twelve weeks, when actual muscle strength develops.
One of the biggest barriers to accessing pelvic therapy is the shortage of professionals trained in this specialty.
“Out of over 16,000 physical therapists here in the state of Florida, only 240 of us are trained as pelvic physical therapists,” Dudley says. "Only two of us are male."
There is also a huge disparity amongst female and male research when it comes to pelvic health.
“Women's pelvic physical therapy has over 3,500 research articles in their database. Men's public physical therapy has less than 100, so the disparity in research is huge, and it's hard to know how many people we’re missing if nobody's asking,” says Dudley.
Pelvic therapy is an important health
service, offering a way for people to access better, more comprehensive care.
As more people become aware of its benefits, a greater number will experience relief from conditions they may have thought were permanent.
"Pelvic therapy is for everyone," Dudley says. “There’s no one who can’t benefit.”
Jenny G. Porter heads up Porter Pelvic Physical Therapy, located at 2174 South Ridgewood Ave in South Daytona. For questions, comments or to schedule an appointment call 386-227-6077. For more information, visit PorterPelvic.com
Davenport Pelvic Therapy offers pelvic therapy services across Florida including in the Central Florida and Tampa Bay areas. Charles Dudley serves clients regularly at offices in Davenport, Fort Lauderdale and Plantation Key. He also provides mobile, at home appointments throughout Florida. You can contact him at 863-486-3708. For more information, visit DavenportPelvic.com.
Just the Facts
Understanding gender-affirming care
Ryan Williams-Jent
According to the Williams Institute — the leading research center on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy — over 90% of transgender youth live in a state where anti-LGBTQ+ lawmakers have proposed or passed laws restricting their rights.
For these youth as well as transgender adults, one such focal point has been gender-affirming care. As of this publication, over half of the country’s states have enacted laws or policies targeting access to these essential services, despite the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services calling it “a supportive form of healthcare” for those in need.
“For transgender and nonbinary children and adolescents, early genderaffirming care is crucial to overall health and well-being as it allows the child or adolescent to focus on social transitions and can increase their confidence while navigating the healthcare system,” HHS explains. “Research demonstrates that gender-affirming care improves the mental health and overall well-being of gender diverse children and adolescents.”
Florida is among the states to deny access. Senate Bill 254 went into effect in 2023, banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth and restricting it for adults. For the latter, the law requires care be provided exclusively by physicians, excluding nurse practitioners, and bars forms of treatment like telehealth.
According to GLAD Law, which has been instrumental in protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights since 1978, it marked “the
first time any state passed such an extreme law.” The group was among those to challenge it in court, resulting in a temporary hold in its enforcement that ended when a federal court of appeals let it advance in August 2024.
“This is deeply disappointing and puts the lives of transgender Floridians at risk,” Equality Florida responded to the news. The state’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization was also among SB 254’s challengers.
“To every transgender Floridian, the fight is not over,” the group promised. “We won’t stop until you have the medical freedom you deserve and a Florida that treats you with dignity and respect.”
In the interim, misinformation surrounding gender-affirming care continues to grow. Here, we detail what it is.
WHAT IS GENDERAFFIRMING CARE?
“Gender-affirming care, sometimes referred to as transition-related care, is life-saving healthcare for transgender people of all ages,” says the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights group. They also challenged Florida’s law.
“It is not a single category of services
but instead is a range of services, including mental health care, medical care and social services,” HRC continues. “At all ages, clear, well-established, evidence-based standards of care exist.” This care can be needed because many transgender and nonbinary individuals experience gender dysphoria. Understanding that sex is determined by biological characteristics while gender relates to a sense of self, HHS defines this as “clinically significant distress that a person may feel when sex or gender assigned at birth is not the same as their identity.”
“Just like any other form of healthcare, it also helps transgender and nonbinary people live safe and healthy lives … [and] is always delivered in age-appropriate, evidence-based ways, and decisions to provide care are made in consultation with doctors and parents," HRC says.
WHO SUPPORTS IT?
Every major medical and mental health organization recognizes genderaffirming care as medically necessary to support those who need it. These groups collectively represent over 1.3 million doctors nationwide
Among many others, this includes the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Nursing, American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers and the World Medical Association.
TYPES OF CARE
Social affirmation is one type of gender-affirming care and can be used at any age. Social transitioning is simply when someone takes nonmedical and fully reversible steps to live and present publicly as their gender. It consists of wearing hairstyles or clothing that affirms one’s sense of self, utilizing pronouns or restrooms that align with one’s gender identity and more.
HRC notes that “for many transgender and nonbinary people, social transition is the first step in their gender transition journey, regardless of the age they begin transitioning. This is because it offers the opportunity to easily and quickly take small steps to begin living authentically, before involving medical interventions.”
Puberty blockers, which are reversible and utilized during puberty, can be a next step. This practice utilizes medications to temporarily pause the effects of puberty.
“For transgender and nonbinary youth who are aware of their gender at a young age, going through puberty can cause intense distress and dysphoria, as it leads their body to develop into a gender that is not theirs —including in ways that are irreversible, or only reversible with surgery,” HRC explains. “For example,
teenage transgender boys who do not have access to blockers will have to go through a puberty that includes growing breasts and later in life will require surgery.”
Puberty blockers may be prescribed to counter this. These decisions are made by doctors early in one’s puberty in consultation with the child, their parents and
supervision and management for this type of genderaffirming care.
“These same medications are used safely every day by millions of cisgender men and women worldwide,” HRC says. Hormones are typically not prescribed until someone is at least 18.
“Though adolescents may receive gender-affirming hormones starting in their late teens, this is only done with
therapists. It gives the youth “time to continue exploring their gender identity before potentially moving on to more permanent transition-related care when they are older.”
Puberty blockers also have decades of safe use. The FDA first approved them in 1993 to treat precocious puberty — when a child’s development begins before a typical age — for those who are cisgender.
Hormone therapy is utilized in early adolescence and after. Synthetic versions of testosterone or estrogen, which develop naturally at different levels in both cisgender men and women, are used with provider
torso, or “bottom surgery,” which makes changes to one’s genitals. Plastic surgery can also be utilized to change features deemed masculine or feminine on one’s face.
Of note, HRC stresses that “there is no single genderaffirming surgery — nor does a person have to have any surgery, or a specific surgery, to be transgender.” Also of note, gender-affirming surgery is not unique to those who are transgender. These “are the same procedures that have safely and effectively been given to cisgender and intersex people for decades, for a host of cosmetic and medical reasons,” HRC says.
WHY IT MATTERS
“Gender-affirming care is patient-centered and treats individuals holistically, aligning their outward, physical traits with their gender identity," HHS says. “Medical and psychosocial gender-affirming healthcare practices have been demonstrated to yield lower rates of adverse mental health outcomes, build selfesteem, and improve overall quality of life." HHS notes.
physician approval, parental consent and informed consent from the adolescent in question,” they advise. The effects can also be partially or fully reversible, depending on how long the hormones have been administered.
Gender-affirming surgeries, which are only performed after significant discussions with mental health providers and physicians like endocrinologists and surgeons, are an irreversible form of gender-affirming care used in adulthood. They are rarely used in adolescence.
Procedures include “top surgery,” which makes changes to one’s chest or
As for legislation restricting this care, HRC says legislators are “inserting political battles into private and personal conversations between parents and their children, and patients and their doctors.”
“These laws are not about safety — as the safety, efficacy and life-saving nature of gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary youth and adults is clear,” they advise. “Instead, in ignoring a wealth of scientific evidence and overwhelming support from the medical community, these legislators are attempting to enshrine discrimination into law.”
Learn more at HRC.org/ Resources/Get-The-Facts-onGender-Affirming-Care.
LGBTQ Couples Face Challenges:
· Are you and your partner having the same argument again and again?
· Do you feel like you don’t really know or understand your partner anymore?
· Are you ready to learn how to communicate with your partner in ways that bring you together?
· Are you ready for effective and compassionate support from a couples’ therapist who understands the unique strengths and challenges of your relationship?
It is my role as a couple’s therapist to help you answer these questions. I will help you navigate the roadblocks that are keeping you stuck in unhealthy cycles and move you into a meaningful connection.
For more information about me and my practice visit www.AZupkaCounseling.com or reach out directly to Alan@AzupkaCounseling.com | (407) 986-2888
Owning Your Health
LGBTQ+ health topics to discuss with your doctor Jeremy Williams
Whenit comes to your health care, sexual orientation and gender identity are two factors that need to be considered when deciding what type of doctor you’ll have to see and what topics you should be discussing with them when you meet. Along with those two, you should also be thinking about your race, sex, gender, age, location, religion and socioeconomic status as well. All of these aspects of our lives add up to create the individuals we are and point to any risk factors we may have in our health.
Health care organizations in the U.S. have many recommended timetables for health screenings and medical evaluations based on many of those factors, and while most of them do not vary when it comes to your sexual orientation and gender identity, there are certain health concerns that carry higher risk factors for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality is a national organization of LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals in the U.S. and they are committed to ensuring health equity for LGBTQ+ individuals. It is the oldest and largest association of LGBTQ+ health care professionals in the world with its membership including physicians, nurses, physician
Gay/Bisexual Men
1. Come out to your primary healthcare provider
Knowing your sexual orientation and sexual behaviors will help your health care provider offer the correct preventative screenings and order the appropriate tests.
2. Reducing the risk of getting or transmitting HIV
Men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of getting HIV. If you are living with HIV, anti-HIV medications can help you live a normal lifespan and prevent you from transmitting HIV to your sex partners. Studies show that if you have an undetectable viral load, HIV cannot be transmitted through sex, also known as “Undetectable = Untransmittable.” If you don’t currently have HIV, taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective way to nearly eliminate the chance of you getting HIV.
3. Hepatitis immunization and screening
Men who have sex with men can get Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C through sexual activity. Immunizations are available for Hepatitis A and B and are recommended for all men who have sex with men. There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C but there are newer, highly effective treatments that can cure it.
4. Substance use/alcohol
Gay men use substances more commonly than the general population, and not just in larger cities. Some of these substances have significant health risks. If your drug use is interfering with work, school or relationships, your health care provider can connect you to help. You can also talk to your health care provider about resources to help optimize your safety when using substances.
associates, behavioral health specialists, researchers and academics and more.
GLMA is a great resource to use when you are ready to begin building your health care plan. The organization’s website includes an LGBTQ+ health care directory that is a free, searchable database of health care providers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people.
The website also includes information on medical research, opportunities for advocacy and educational tools as it relates to LGBTQ+ health care. Utilizing GLMA’s website, we have a list of topics you can use to start the conversation with your health care team. They are health issues GLMA’s health care providers have identified as common concerns for gay and bisexual men, lesbian and bisexual women, and transgender folks. GLMA advises that while not all of these items apply to everyone, it’s wise to be aware of these issues.
This information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or replace your health care professional. Consult your physician for further information.
For more information on GLMA resources, visit GLMA.org.
5. Depression/anxiety
Depression and anxiety appear to affect gay and bi men at a higher rate than in the general population. The likelihood of depression or anxiety may be greater for those men who remain in the closet or who do not have adequate social support. To begin to address depression/ anxiety talk to your health care provider at your next visit.
6. Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, occur commonly in sexually active people. Condoms can reduce the risk of many STIs when used properly. Get screened for STIs regularly. Most sexually active men should get tested every six months and every three months if you have a high number of sex partners.
7. Prostate, testicular and colon cancer
Gay and bi men may be at risk for prostate, testicular or colon cancer. Screening for these cancers occur at different times, and access to screening services may be harder for gay/bi men due to barriers to accessing culturally sensitive care. All men should undergo screenings as recommended for the general population.
8. HPV
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes anal and genital warts. HPV can cause anal cancer and cancer of the throat. A vaccine to prevent HPV infection is recommended for gay and bi men up to age 45. It is estimated that 90% of HPV-associated cancers can be prevented if you get the vaccine. The vaccine doesn't cure nor protect against HPV you have already been exposed to. Several treatments are available for HPV-associated pre-cancerous lesions. Anal Pap screenings for anal cancer is recommended for gay and bi men living with HIV, in whom the risk of anal cancer is higher.
Lesbian / Bisexual Women
1. Breast cancer
Lesbian women are more likely to have risk factors for breast cancer, yet less likely to get screening exams due to past negative experiences with health care providers. This combination means that breast cancer may not be diagnosed early when the disease is most curable. A way to address this is to let your provider know you are interested in a discussion of when and how to begin screening for breast cancer.
2. Depression/anxiety
Lesbian women are affected at a higher rate than in the general population. The likelihood of depression or anxiety may be greater for those women who remain in the closet or who do not have adequate social support. To begin to address depression/anxiety talk to your health care provider at your next visit.
3. Heart health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Smoking and obesity are the most common risk factors for heart disease among lesbian women. Talk to your provider about how often you should have medical screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Health care providers can also offer tips on quitting smoking, increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight.
4. Gynecological cancer
Lesbian women have higher risks for certain types of gynecological cancers compared to heterosexual women. Having regular pelvic exams and Pap tests can detect cancers early and offer the best chance of cure. Talk to your health care provider about what gynecological cancer screenings may be right for you.
5. Tobacco
Research also shows that more lesbian than heterosexual women smoke cigarettes. It is easy to get addicted to smoking, even if it’s only done socially. Smoking has been associated with higher rates of cancers, heart disease and emphysema — three major causes of death among women. Health care providers can assist with quitting smoking.
6. Alcohol/substance use
Heavy drinking is more common among lesbian women compared to heterosexual women. While one drink a day may be good for the heart, more than that can increase your risk of cancer, liver disease and other health problems. Lesbian women may use drugs like cannabis or amphetamines more often than heterosexual women. This can be due to stress from homophobia, sexism and/or discrimination. If your drug use is interfering with work, school or relationships, your health care provider can connect you to help. You can also talk to your health care provider about strategies and local resources to help optimize your safety when using substances.
7. Intimate partner violence
Contrary to stereotypes, some lesbian women experience violence in their intimate relationships. However, health care providers do not ask lesbian women about intimate partner violence as often as they ask heterosexual women. A good health care provider should ask lesbian women about violence and be able to provide referrals to welcoming counseling and shelters when needed.
8. Sexual health
Lesbian women are at risk for the same sexually transmitted infections as heterosexual women. Lesbians can give each other STIs through skin-to-skin contact, mucus membrane contact, vaginal fluids and menstrual blood. It is important for sexually active lesbian women to be screened regularly for STIs by a health care provider, especially those that have more than one sexual partner.
Transgender Individuals
1. Access to health care
It is not always easy to find a health care provider who knows how to treat transgender people. Trans people should find a primary care provider that is both affirming of them and also has the knowledge to provide them with the care they need. Even if you do find someone who will treat you, sometimes your insurance may not pay for the treatment. If the costs are not covered, ask your provider what other options exist for affordable care.
2. Health history
It is important for you to be able to trust your health care provider. Tell them about the medicines you have taken and the surgeries you may have had. If your provider knows what has happened with you in the past, they will be better able to give you the best treatment today.
3.
Hormones
If you are starting hormones for the first time, ask about the things you need to watch out for while taking these medicines. If you are a trans woman, ask if you are at a higher risk for blood clots, high or low blood pressure, or high blood sugar from estrogen. Estrogen can still usually be prescribed under close monitoring. If you are a trans man, ask about the blood tests you will need to be sure your testosterone dose is safe. Take only the hormones prescribed by your provider.
4.
Cardiovascular health
Trans people may be at increased risk for heart attack or stroke, not only from hormone use but also from cigarette smoking, being overweight, high blood pressure and diabetes. Because trans women may fear that their provider may make them stop estrogen if they develop heart trouble, they may not report symptoms such as chest pain or trouble breathing. Be sure to tell your provider if you do have these symptoms.
5. Cancer
It is very rare to develop cancer due to hormone treatment but your provider should evaluate you for this possibility when they see you for check-ups. Your provider should also recommend screening for cancer of whichever sex organs or other body tissues you have.
6. STIs and HIV
Trans women are at an increased risk of getting HIV. If you are living with HIV, anti-HIV medications can help you live a normal lifespan and prevent you from transmitting HIV to your sex partners. Studies show that if you have an undetectable viral load, HIV cannot be transmitted through sex, also known as “Undetectable = Untransmittable.” If you don’t currently have HIV, taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective way to nearly eliminate the chance of you getting HIV.
Getting screened for STIs regularly is important for your health and the health of your sex partners. Most sexually active people should get tested at least every six months but every three months may be more appropriate if you have a higher number of sex partners.
7. Tobacco
Many trans people smoke cigarettes. This increases their risk of heart and lung disease, especially in people taking hormones. Discuss your tobacco use habits with your primary care provider.
8. Injectable silicone
Some trans women may choose to inject silicone or other fillers to change the shape of their body. The silicone sold and injected by nonmedical persons and not under sterile conditions can contain substances inappropriate for human use. It may cause scars, allergic reactions or infections. Talk to your health care provider about how you can achieve body shape changes by using medications or surgical procedures.
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HEALTH AND FITNESS
NATURE’S MARKET & FITNESS
407-207-0067
NaturesMarketOrlando.com
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
26HEALTH
321-800-2922
26Health.org
CAN COMMUNITY HEALTH
844-922-2777
CANCommunityHealth.org
HARMONY HEALTH
866-553-6755
MyHHO.org
HOPE AND HELP
407-645-2577
HopeAndHelp.org
INCLUSIVE CARE GROUP
727-753-7787
ICGFL.com
LOVE THE GOLDEN RULE 727-826-0700
LoveTheGoldenRule.com
ORENDA HEALTH AND WELLNESS 941-254-1552
OrendaHealth.org
PINEAPPLE HEALTHCARE
407-553-6336
PineappleHealthcare.com
PIÑERO PREVENTIVE MEDICAL CARE
407-426-9693
PineroMedical.com
PLANNED PARENTHOOD 800-230-PLAN (7526) PlannedParenthood.org
SPEKTRUM HEALTH 888-LGBTQA-1 (888-542-8721) Spektrum.Health
HIV & STI TESTING
THE LGBT+ CENTER ORLANDO & KISSIMEEE
407-228-8272
TheCenterOrlando.org
HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICES
NURSES NEXT DOOR –PINELLAS & PASCO COUNTY 727-308-7077
NurseNextDoor.com
MASSAGE THERAPY
MINDTOUCH MASSAGE / ST PETE
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MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
A ZUPKA COUNSELING
407-986-2888
AZupkaCounseling.com
CREW HEALTH
407-605-2252
CrewHealth.org
TRANQUIL WATERS FOUNDATION 407-738-9408
TranquilWatersFoundation.org
PHARMACY
BELL PHRAMACY 813-689-2273
BellSpecialtyPharmacy.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
DYLAN TODD PHOTOGRAHY 727-310-1212
DylanToddPhotography.com
PHYSICAL THERAPY
DAVENPORT PELVIC THERAPY 863-486-3708
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PorterPelvic.com
SENIOR CARE
BENEFITS OF AGING 407-439-1534
BenefitsOfAging.com
SENIOR LIVING
THE CONNIE HOUSE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY 561-541-3700
ThePrideTribe.org
SMOKING CESSATION
TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA 877-U-CAN-NOW (877-822-6669) TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/QuitYourWay
TRANSGENDER & NONBINARY CARE
CREW HEALTH 407-605-2252
CrewHealth.org
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ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT / MCO 407-825-2001
OrlandoAirports.net
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CREW HEALTH 407-605-2252
CrewHealth.org
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