Members of the LGBTQ+ community often face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare—especially in sensitive areas like gynecology, sexual health, and reproductive planning. At the offices of Maureen O. Khoo, MD, FACOG, we believe every person deserves respectful, affirming, and evidence-based care, no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.
Our goal is to create a space where you feel safe sharing who you are, what you need, and how we can best support your health over the long term.
Why LGBTQ+-Inclusive Healthcare Matters
LGBTQ+ patients frequently experience:
- Past discrimination or judgment in medical settings
- Assumptions about their bodies, partners, or sexual behavior
- Delays in routine care (such as Pap tests or STI screening) due to anxiety or fear
- Higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression related to stigma and minority stress
These experiences can lead to postponed care, missed screenings, and more advanced health issues that might otherwise have been preventable. An inclusive OB/GYN practice recognizes these realities and works actively to reduce barriers so you can access the same high-quality care as anyone else—without having to hide or explain your identity.
Common Health Topics in the LGBTQ+ Community
While everyone is unique, there are some health themes that often come up for LGBTQ+ patients in a gynecologic setting.
1. Preventive Care & Screening
Regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, many patients still need:
- Wellness and pelvic exams
- Pap tests and HPV screenings when appropriate
- Breast and chest exams
- STI testing, based on anatomy and behavior—not just identity
A common misconception is that people who don’t have sex with men don’t need Pap tests or certain screenings. In reality, HPV and other infections can be transmitted in many ways, and cervical screening is still important for anyone with a cervix, provided they meet age and guideline criteria.
2. Sexual & Reproductive Health
LGBTQ+ patients may have questions about:
- Safer sex strategies tailored to their partnerships
- Pregnancy prevention and contraception options (even in same-gender relationships, if pregnancy is sometimes a possibility)
- Family-building pathways, including donor sperm, reciprocal IVF, or working with a gestational carrier
- How hormones, surgeries, or certain medications may affect fertility over time
Our role is to provide clear, non-judgmental information to help you make informed choices that fit your life and your goals.
3. Trans and Nonbinary Patients with Female Anatomy
Transgender men and nonbinary people who were assigned female at birth may still need gynecologic care, including:
- Screenings like Pap tests and breast/chest exams, when appropriate
- Management of menstrual concerns
- Counseling around fertility preservation or family planning
We understand that exams and visits can be especially stressful if dysphoria is present. Using gentle communication, explaining each step, and adapting our approach can help make visits more comfortable and respectful.
4. Mental Health & Minority Stress
Physical and emotional health are deeply connected. LGBTQ+ people often experience:
- Higher rates of anxiety and depression
- Stress associated with coming out or not being out
- Concerns about family acceptance, relationships, and safety
While your OB/GYN cannot replace a mental health professional, we can listen, validate your experiences, screen for mental health concerns, and refer you to supportive resources when needed.
How Our Practice Strives to Support LGBTQ+ Patients
At the offices of Maureen O. Khoo, MD, FACOG, we are committed to:
- Using inclusive language for partners, pronouns, and bodies
- Focusing on anatomy and behavior, not assumptions about identity
- Respecting your privacy and your comfort level with disclosure
- Taking extra time to explain tests, procedures, and options
- Collaborating with your broader care team when needed, with your consent
We are honored to partner with you in your health, whether you are coming in for routine care, a specific concern, or long-term reproductive planning.
LGBTQ+ Health Q&A
Below is a comprehensive Q&A section you can use directly in your blog to educate and reassure current and future patients.
Q1: I’m lesbian or bisexual. Do I still need to see a gynecologist?
Yes. Sexual orientation does not change the need for preventive gynecologic care. If you have a cervix, breasts/chest tissue, or ovaries, you may still need:
- Pap tests and HPV screening
- Breast/chest exams and imaging
- Evaluation of pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, or other gynecologic symptoms
A gynecologist also supports general reproductive health, hormonal concerns, menopause care, and more—regardless of whom you date or marry.
Q2: I’m not sexually active. Do I still need Pap tests?
If you have a cervix, screening recommendations are based primarily on age and guidelines, not just sexual activity. Some viruses and infections can be transmitted in ways that don’t fit traditional definitions of “sex,” and some conditions have nothing to do with sexual activity at all.
During your visit, Dr. Khoo can review your personal history and discuss the appropriate timing of Pap and HPV testing for you.
Q3: I’m a transgender man/nonbinary and still have a uterus and cervix. Do I need Pap tests?
If you have a cervix, you may still need Pap tests, even if you identify as male or nonbinary. We understand that gynecologic exams can be triggering or uncomfortable. Our team can:
- Talk through each step before it happens
- Use the smallest speculum possible
- Pause or stop at any time if you need a break
We encourage you to share what helps you feel safer and more in control during your visit.
Q4: How should I prepare for my first LGBTQ+-focused visit with Dr. Khoo?
You don’t have to prepare anything special, but some patients find it helpful to:
- Write down any questions about sexuality, hormones, or reproductive planning
- Note your current medications, including hormones or gender-affirming treatments
- Think about your goals: Are you here for routine care, fertility planning, symptom evaluation, or all of the above?
You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Our job is to meet you where you are.
Q5: Will I be “outed” if I talk about my identity or partners?
Your medical information is confidential and protected by privacy laws. We only share information with other providers or family members with your explicit consent, except in rare situations where the law requires otherwise (such as immediate safety concerns).
If you are not out to certain people, please let us know so we can take extra care with communication, voicemail messages, and mailed information.
Q6: What about STI testing—do I really need it if my partners are the same gender?
STIs can be transmitted through many types of sexual contact, regardless of partner gender. We recommend STI testing based on:
- The type of sexual activities you engage in
- The number and gender(s) of partners
- Barrier methods used (condoms, dental dams, etc.)
Together, we can create a personalized testing and safer-sex plan that reflects your specific situation, not a one-size-fits-all assumption.
Q7: Can I talk to my OB/GYN about fertility, sperm donation, or family-building as an LGBTQ+ person?
Absolutely. Many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples have questions about:
- Donor sperm and insemination options
- Reciprocal IVF (one partner provides eggs, the other carries the pregnancy)
- Preserving fertility before hormonal or surgical gender-affirming care
- Choosing a pregnancy carrier within a couple
We can discuss your goals, explain options, and refer you to fertility specialists when needed, so you have a clear roadmap for building the family you envision.
Q8: Will my pronouns and name be respected in your office?
You should feel seen and respected from the moment you check in. We encourage patients to:
- Share their name, pronouns, and gender identity with us
- Let us know if something in our forms or process doesn’t feel inclusive
If we ever make a mistake, we are committed to correcting it sincerely and improving our communication going forward.
Q9: I’ve had a negative medical experience in the past. How can this visit be different?
It’s sadly common for LGBTQ+ patients to have a history of:
- Dismissed concerns
- Invasive questions not related to their care
- Feeling judged or lectured
You are welcome to share as much of that history as you feel comfortable. Knowing your past experiences helps us:
- Avoid repeating harmful patterns
- Move more slowly and check in frequently during exams
- Focus on collaboration, consent, and clear explanations
You’re in charge of your body and your care; we are here to support, not to pressure.
Q10: What if I’m nervous or embarrassed to talk about my sexual health?
Nervousness is completely normal—especially if you’re used to hiding parts of your identity. Remember:
- We talk about sexual health and LGBTQ+ concerns every day.
- There is no “wrong” question.
- You can start with the basics and go at your own pace.
Our goal is to build a relationship over time, not to rush through your concerns in one visit.
When to Schedule an Appointment
Consider booking a visit with Maureen O. Khoo, MD, FACOG if:
- You’re due (or overdue) for a wellness exam or Pap test
- You have pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or new symptoms
- You want to discuss fertility, conception, or family-building
- You’d like STI testing or safer-sex counseling
- You’re a trans or nonbinary patient needing gynecologic care tailored to your body and identity
- You simply want to establish care with an OB/GYN who respects and affirms LGBTQ+ patients
Contact Our Offices
We are proud to care for patients throughout the South Bay, including Los Gatos, Mountain View, and surrounding communities.
📍 Los Gatos Office
320 Dardanelli Lane Ste 20
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Phone: (408) 364-2440
📍 Mountain View Office
2490 Hospital Drive, Ste 209
Melchor Pavilion
Mountain View, CA 94040
Phone: (408) 364-2440
🖥️ Visit our website or call us to book your appointment today!
Whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, nonbinary, or exploring your identity, you deserve healthcare that honors who you are. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you feel safe, heard, and supported—every step of the way.