Gender Affirming Vaginoplasty

Course Description

This 8-hour course is appropriate for pelvic health rehabilitation professionals who have interest in better serving the people who are gender diverse. There is specific content aimed at teaching pelvic health therapist how to expand their skills for working with people following gender affirming genital surgery, primarily vaginoplasty Supporting healing after gender affirming surgery; Overview of operative procedures genital surgery including penectomy, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty and vulvoplasty Pre-operative evaluation, treatment and education issues, Post- operative evaluation, treatment, education and follow up for genital surgeries. 

Objectives:

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the healing phase and state of vulva 

2. Understand the influence of lubrication on wound healing of vaginal tissue

3. Select parameters for transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for pain relief in vaginoplasty recovery

4. Use graded motor imagery tools to reduce pain and improve sexual function following vaginoplasty

5. Recognize examination element to distinguish muscle component versus stenotic component of painful dilation

6. List tools surgeons might use to improve dilation.

7. Describe the surgical procedures for orchiectomy, vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty, 

8. Describe common musculoskeletal and pelvic floor issues to address prior to and after gender-affirming genital surgery. Orchiectomy, Vulvoplasty, Vaginoplasty.

9. Demonstrate knowledge of the varied vaginoplasty dilation protocols across the USA

Teaching Materials

• Course manual of PPT PDFs and additional supplemental material

• PPT with visual tools representing data

• Numerous clinical pearls from therapists working with patients undergoing vaginoplasty

• Supplemental materials: Five videos describing surgery 3 hours total

Sandra Gallagher, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist 

 Sandi is a pelvic health physical therapist in Portland OR. Her practice includes providing evaluation and treatment of pelvic health conditions in adults and children of all gender identities. Dr. Gallagher received her primary physical therapy training in 1986 with a BS in Physical therapy from the University of Lowell in Massachusetts. She has pursued varied continuing education from manual therapy, Feldenkrais, biophysical agents, pelvic health, and pregnancy. She completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in June 2020. She has served on varied committees and boards at the state and national level, including as the chair of the CAPP-OB Committee for the Academy of Pelvic Health of the APTA.  She has presented on the role of PT in gender-affirming vaginoplasty at UCSF Transgender Health Summit, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, and at the 2018 international meeting of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).  She is the recipient of the 2020 Elizabeth Noble Award from the Academy of Pelvic Health.

Caitlin Smigelski, PT, DPT  

Caitlin is a pelvic floor physical therapist in Portland, OR. She focuses in the treatment of bowel and bladder dysfunction and complex pelvic pain. Caitlin specializes in transgender health

and treatment of patients who are pregnant or postpartum. Caitlin values active treatment approaches and teaching individuals ways to manage and improve their symptoms. Caitlin is active with the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy and serves on the CAPP-OB committee. She is also a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Caitlin and Sandi traveled to Argentina to present at the 2018 WPATH Symposium on Physical Therapy in People Undergoing Vaginoplasty. In Caitlin’s spare time, she enjoys climbing, mountaineering, and gardening.

Disclaimer: This information is based on the clinical opinion, research, and clinical work of Sandi Gallagher and Caitlin Smeligeski unless otherwise cited

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