Gender-Affirming Genital Surgery

UI Health Care urologists are the only providers in Iowa to specialize in gender-affirming genital surgery.

For Urology related requests:

For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

Find a Provider

Our expertly trained urologists have specialized training in transgender medicine and will provide a compassionate and inclusive environment to help you take the next step in your gender confirmation care.

Gender-affirming surgeries not available anywhere else in Iowa

UI Health Care’s urologists are the only providers in Iowa who perform transfeminine gender-affirming genital surgeries for transgender and gender-nonconforming patients. Offering the most advanced procedures available, our team has the experience and expertise to help you meet your gender confirmation goals.

Where you belong

We strive to offer a welcoming place where you’ll feel comfortable, valued, respected, and heard. Your UI Health Care transgender medicine provider will know and use your name and pronouns.

Integrated, continuous care at every step of your journey

As part of the LBGTQ Clinic, our urologists work closely with your transgender medicine care team to provide seamless, continuous care. This means you can count on comprehensive, compassionate care from experts who are specially trained to provide transgender medicine.

Gender-affirming genital surgeries

We are the only provider in the state that offers three transfeminine gender-affirming genital surgeries. These procedures help affirm your gender and can reduce the emotional distress of gender dysphoria.

To have any of these procedures performed, you must be referred by the UI Health Care LGBTQ Clinic.

Bilateral orchiectomy

A bilateral orchiectomy involves removing both testicles through a single incision in the middle of the scrotum. This may be done in the office while you are awake using local anesthesia, and you can go home the same day.

This procedure is right for you if you are looking to reduce your male hormone levels in addition to physical changes. This can be performed by itself or as part of a larger gender-affirming surgery such as a vaginoplasty.

Zero-depth vaginoplasty (vulvoplasty)

A zero-depth vaginoplasty, or vulvoplasty, is a gender-affirming surgery that creates a vulva (the external genitalia of those assigned female at birth) without a vaginal canal. It takes about six hours to complete the procedure, and you will need to stay in the hospital for about three days. An orchiectomy can be performed at the same time.

This procedure is right for you if you’d prefer your genitals to externally look more like a vulva or you want an option that is not as invasive or as risky as a full-depth vaginoplasty.

Full-depth vaginoplasty

This is the same as zero-depth vaginoplasty, except with the creation of the vaginal canal using the skin of your penis and scrotum. Full-depth vaginoplasty (unlike zero-depth) requires genital hair removal before surgery and vaginal dilation after surgery. It takes about six hours to complete the procedure, and you will need to stay in the hospital for about five days. An orchiectomy can be performed at the same time.

University of Iowa Human Rights Policy

States that in no aspect of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual.

Urologist