Détails des événements

PHO Microbiology Rounds: A Step Toward Understanding Neovaginal Health for Trans Women

Transfeminine describes people who were assigned male at birth but have a feminine gender identity. Many transfeminine people access gender affirming medical care to create sexual characteristics that are congruent with their gender. Penile inversion vaginoplasty creates a vulva and vaginal canal (referred to as a neovagina) using penile tissue, and is now available at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. Biomedical research has focused on vaginoplasty surgical outcomes, but little is known of how to care for this unique organ and diagnostics/treatments designed for cisgender women are ineffective. In this PHO Rounds, attendees will learn about the tissue structure and microbiome of the healed neovagina of transfeminine people, which differs substantially from the natal vagina of people assigned female at birth. Common neovaginal symptoms will be discussed, as will the utility of treatments and diagnostics that would typically be used when transfeminine people present to primary care physicians with these symptoms.

Intended audience: Microbiologists, laboratory scientists, infectious disease physicians, public health professionals

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the tissue microstructure of the neovagina created by penile inversion vaginoplasty, a surgery now available in Ontario
• Identify how the neovaginal microbiome differs from the natal vagina and penile skin
• Gain insight into which neovaginal bacteria are likely beneficial, and which are associated with inflammation
• Explain why best-practices, diagnostics, and treatments designed for the natal vagina cannot be applied to the neovagina

Présentateur(s): Dr. Jessica Prodger, PhD

Dr. Jessica Prodger, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and Director of the Global Health Systems Master of Health Sciences program at Western University in Ontario, Canada. She received her PhD from the University of Toronto and completed Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and at the Laboratory for Immunoregulation at the National Institutes of Health. She holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Genital Immunology and STI Prevention and her research program at Western focuses on understanding how genital microbiota influence local host immune responses and thus susceptibility to pathogenic genital infections.

Avis de non-responsabilité

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accréditation

Public Health Ontario Grand Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Grand Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact events@oahpp.ca

Accessibilité

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or events@oahpp.ca.