Gender-affirming care is a patient-centered approach to health care that provides individuals with the support they need to live authentically and comfortably in their gender. Rather than following a single pathway, DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, and the team at Desert Star Institute for Family Planning ensure every patient receives the care they need, tailored to their unique goals, needs, and overall health. If you’re seeking personal healthcare in an inclusive, compassionate environment, here’s how we can help.
At its core, gender-affirming care begins with listening. Before we recommend any care, we spend time learning about your medical history, your personal goals, and your individual concerns, ensuring your care plan is comprehensive and fully compatible with your needs — not just now, but for the future, too.
In addition to ensuring your physical health is attended to, this holistic approach also considers your emotional health, recognizing that gender affirmation requires a completely individualized approach for every patient to feel heard, understood, and valued.
We provide an open, nonjudgmental space to help you feel comfortable and confident when discussing concerns and asking questions, so we can tailor a care plan to your journey.
Routine wellness exams remain essential for staying healthy, regardless of gender identity. In addition to a physical exam, wellness visits typically provide recommendations for essential screenings based on your age or other risk factors. They’re also a venue for discussions about your overall health and lifestyle, giving our team an opportunity to provide education and guidance to help you enjoy optimal wellness at every stage of your life.
Wellness exams are also a time to discuss sexual health services, including testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) and safe-sex practices.
Vaccinations are another important aspect of preventive care, including vaccines for common concerns such as the flu and HPV (human papillomavirus) infection. HPV is extremely common — so common, most of us have it at some point. While your immune system clears many types of HPV, other types stick around, increasing your risk of cancer. Vaccination helps protect against these risks and is available to adults well beyond early adulthood, depending on individual eligibility.
Hormone therapy is an important part of gender-affirming care for many people, although not all. If hormone therapy is part of your care plan, Dr. Taylor and her team will work with you to ensure your therapy stays on track and focused on your goals and evolving needs.
Ongoing follow-up and monitoring are a key part of that process. Regular check-ins allow us to assess how your body is responding to therapy, giving us the opportunity to adjust dosing as needed while addressing any side effects or concerns you may have, supporting a treatment plan that helps you stay healthy and comfortable based on your goals.
Gender-affirming care is not a one-size-fits-all model that uses a single checklist for every patient. Like any type of medical care, gender-affirming care requires an appreciation for every patient as an individual, with personal health needs, goals, lifestyle habits, and concerns.
By focusing on respect, personalization, and a comprehensive, whole-patient approach, our team ensures every patient receives the care they need without fear or hesitation. To learn more about gender-affirming care at our practice, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Taylor and the team at Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix, Arizona, today.
